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Post by swissgrl on Jun 2, 2008 13:38:27 GMT -5
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Jun 2, 2008 15:11:38 GMT -5
Hey is through the roof this year because of fuel costs and the fact that alot of hay crops were turned into bio-fuel crops. i know that a neighboring ranch in southern oregon has contracted almost all their hay crop to be sent to the midwest for nearly DOUBLE what they could get for it here - and I think that is happening alot too.
I am working on several deals for my own hay and to bring in several semi's of extra to hold and resell to help cover part of my costs. I just paid nearly $100 for 5 bales of orchard! That is INSANE! Can't wait till 2nd and 3rd cuttings so we can get stocked.
Crazy stuff.
Sara
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Post by earlybp on Jun 2, 2008 15:31:27 GMT -5
It's insane. I just paid $25 for a bale of timothy. Flipping crazy.
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Post by calypso on Jun 2, 2008 16:03:05 GMT -5
I just paid $23 for 100# bales of orchard, and $20 for 110# bales of alfalfa. I'm in the SF Bay area.
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Post by pnp4kidz on Jun 2, 2008 16:14:10 GMT -5
I guess we ought to buy as much as we can from our grower this cutting...
no money, alas...
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Post by swissgrl on Jun 2, 2008 17:02:01 GMT -5
The gal we're buying from (and we're only getting Bermuda and Alfalfa) said they're expecting Bermuda to go higher than Alfalfa this winter, and that we might even run out of Bermuda. Our local feedstore sells light Alfalfa for $17.00 a bale (about 95 - 100lbs bale). I bought my last Alfalfa from our supplier for $14.75, and they were 127lbs bales.
It is scary to see all these reports, and it's just going to get worse before it gets better. I'm trying to stock up to get me through the winter. At least that way I don't have to worry about buying hay for almost a year. We might be eating Top Ramen for a while, but at least the horses are taken care of.....
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Post by hystyle on Jun 3, 2008 0:55:01 GMT -5
I am very thankful right now that we grow our own hay and also have pasture for the horses. It's almost time to start cutting, and I'm going to make darn sure I keep even more for myself this year as we were cutting it really close with our funky spring and the pasture was slow to start growing.
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Post by carolyn on Jun 3, 2008 22:38:24 GMT -5
I have to agree with hystyle, very thankful that I do my own hay, (grass) but it is good hay. I even have people calling to have me hay their fields and I get the hay. Round bales my new barn will be FULL.
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Post by bwyatt21 on Jun 3, 2008 22:58:27 GMT -5
I hear a lot of talk about alfalfa, timothy etc. Like Carolyn said, she feeds 'local'. I think everyones opinion has been strewn re: local because its been said not to be high enough quality. For years I bought only alfalfa or timothy, the best grains I could find and everything else top dollar, I figured I was showing and eventing, they needed it!!??
I learned when I went to college and had to keep the same horses on something more affordable out of my own pocket, that I was throwing money away. I had TB's, arabs and QH's, etc on the expensive stuff, now keep the same horses on a much cheaper diet with actually better results.
I feed local, a cob grain and a good vitamin supplement. Although my seniors do get senior grain in the winter months. My bills are way lower and my horses way happier and fatter! Go figure! Just wanted to pass it on.
Round bales are a great choice, escpecially when you have many mouths to feed!
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jasper
Super Pooper Scooper
Posts: 6 
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Post by jasper on Jun 5, 2008 12:15:28 GMT -5
I feel fortunate as I recently paid $7/bale for very nice local orchard grass. My 26yo is doing great on it and the other lady that was there was feeding her mare who was 29 or 30 and she was holding great on it as well. I had to drive a little to get it but that's ok. Other wise I am paying $13 for 100lb+ bales of orchard or timothy in the Gig Harbor area, but that was in january I think.
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Post by gratia on Jun 11, 2008 21:05:52 GMT -5
Swissgrl, i know you are local here in San Diego, where are you exactly, what is the asking price for alfalfa and bermuda? If its cheaper then what i pay then heck ya im interested. I live in Ramona, are you close?
Thanks
Gratia
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Post by swissgrl on Jun 11, 2008 22:22:50 GMT -5
Hey Gratia,
I'm in Ramona as well. We're getting in Alfalfa on Friday, not sure yet what it comes down to per bale, but they should be nice heavy bales. Bermuda is coming in next week. You're more than welcome to come over and look at the Alfalfa (we might have that all gone already, not sure yet), and Bermuda next week. I know we're gonna have Bermuda left.
Where are you buying your hay from now?
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Post by gratia on Jun 12, 2008 9:35:33 GMT -5
Right now im buying my hay from a dairy farm up here. I pay 12.00 for bermuda and 15.00 for alfalfa, which is pretty good concidering! But this last time i bought it the bermuda bales were pretty light. If you have left over alfalfa, please let me know and what you are asking, i only have 2.5 horses to feed, and i really only feed it to my lactating mommy, but the bermuda is what i mainly feed. But they all get a little of both.
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Post by kayceepaint05 on Jun 12, 2008 11:14:49 GMT -5
Jasper, where did you get that hay? I am in Olalla and would love to save a little $$. I am feeding 6 here and need some good resources!
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jasper
Super Pooper Scooper
Posts: 6
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Post by jasper on Jun 14, 2008 12:36:03 GMT -5
I got the orchard grass from Lietz livestock out in Longbranch. My guess is his prices have gone up since then but I am not sure. He usually has a semi trailer parked in Key Center and they will load you off that but they will also deliver.
The other hay I got out in Buckley, but they have sold it all.
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