The Castle Rock MARE-TERNITY WARD
Message Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chanda on July 08, 2017, 02:51:59 AM
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Don't think this has come up before, but... What do you pay for hay? if priced by the bale, please include size of bale (#). [I buy hay by the ton, you have to buy from a hay farmer around here, stores don't sell baled hay.]
We are in a drought so hay has gone up this year, 25-30%. I'll share my prices, after I see yours. ;)
Edited to add: my hay has been $120-130/ton the last few years, for about 70-75# square bales (so it comes to about $4.25-4.50/bale). This year, due to drought, it jumped to $170/ton, so I think he said $5.75/bale. I know this is probably less than some/many of you are paying, but it's more than I have ever paid in 30 years of horse ownership. I'll buy what I can, as it's still cheaper than bagged feeds.
Even with the increase, the hay will still be cheaper than hay pellets, cubes or beet pulp, that I will still need to buy some of to stretch what hay there will be. Cheapest I can get hay pellets, comes to about $400/ton (it's around $10/50# bag). I would prefer hay pellets/cubes to increasing their hard feed, as hay pellets are generally lower in sugar/starch than commercial feeds and usually cheaper per bag as well. [Hay pellets as low as $10/bag; commercial bagged feed is $18/bag and up.]
As much as I hate soaking in winter, I may be feeding beet pulp again this winter; while you feed based on dry weight, once you soak, that puffed up beet pulp makes a satisfying meal for the horses.
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I buy Rhodes Grass hay for mine, its $8.80 per bale for a small square. When we used to get Lucerne, it was $10 a bale, and Oaten was $8.80. Or for a large round bale of oaten it was between $60 and $70 ea. :)
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Coastal and burmuda hays- $9-11 a bale
Alfalfa $ 20-25 a bale
bahaia $6-7 a bale
mix blended hay $6-9 a bale
Round bales $ 75-100
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Here in south Florida, a square 40-50# bale of T and A is $14.50 at the feed store. Delivery is $7.50 an order. The hay is shipped in from Ontario , Canada every week. We feed hay twice a day, even though we usually have grass all year long, even in the winter . I only carry one to two weeks worth because the humidity will make it mold. And yes, do u want to know how to make a small fortune??? Start with a large fortune and have horses.
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Here, the cost of hay depends on the quality. Rubbish hay (aka full of weeks and course, and loose baled) in small bales is about £2 the good bales can fetch about £4. The large bales are about £25-30. In dollars that is $2.60 - $5.15ish or $25-38
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Ive just changed suppliers for some of my hay due to what I was paying.
I was paying $18 a bale (small square) plain grass hay . I now pay $10 and that only if I take the float and buy in bulk.
Alfalfa/Luncerne $25-$28
Rye/Clover $19
Big Rounds $140+
Our Prices annoy the *(&%$#%&^* out of me , we had so much extra rain in spring and summer last year and most got 3rd and 4th cuts , yet we are still paying through the roof :)
Ill be on the hunt come summer so I can stock for winter 2018
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Wow! Its crazy how much the price difference of hay is between Queensland and Victoria, Ryan! I didn't know it was that expensive there!
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Yeah it is crazy, I predominantly feed grass hay throughout the year and add Lucerne and a blend of Grass and Clover in winter.
How feed stores can charge nearly $20 for a bale of grass hay is beyond me.
One of the reasons I made the decision to hunt for grass hay in bulk was that the quality would go up and down all the time , but the price still remained the same.
One of the last orders I received I sent back as I wouldn't have lined a stable with it. It was terribly course and dusty and had obviously been stored for a few years.
Ive now fence off 1-2 acres and will have it slashed and baled this year :)
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What about other Bagged Feeds Etc ? Whats everyone paying ?
Now just to make us realize how old we are , When you first got into horses , what were you paying back then ?
Bale of plain grass Hay $2
Lucerne Hay $5-$7
Oatn Chaff $11
Lurcerne Chaff $13
Pony mix ( which is a pre made blend with no molasses ) $15
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What about other Bagged Feeds Etc ? Whats everyone paying ?
Now just to make us realize how old we are , When you first got into horses , what were you paying back then ?
Bale of plain grass Hay $2
Lucerne Hay $5-$7
Oatn Chaff $11
Lurcerne Chaff $13
Pony mix ( which is a pre made blend with no molasses ) $15
Do you really think I can remember that long ago? And, I was in high school, so Dad helped me a bit with my feed and hay.
Well, actually, I can, as part of the deal with my dad to let me get a horse is that I had to keep records. I only have my yearly summaries left, but...
1986 - hay $60/ton (no buying by the bale where I live)
3-way - $7.25/50#
COB w/ molasses - $4.50/50#
gelding had to have surgery to remove severe proud flesh overgrowth on leg - $105
1987 - I had hay left over from the previous year evidently (I had purchased 4 ton), as there is no record
whole oats - $4.90/50# (spring) - $5.50/50# (fall) - and jumped to $7.75/50# (winter)
Complete feed - $4.70/50#
1988 - hay - $90/ton + $20 for delivery
Omolene 100 - $8.50/50# (purina sweet feed with 10% or 12% protein)
whole oats - $5.50/50# and $7.95/80#
pure pride - $6.00/50# (pelleted fortified grain from purina, probably 10 or 12% protein)
1989 - took him to college and was working for part of my board paid $30/month summer and $55/month in winter for pasture board
rolled oats and barley 50-50 mix - $5.00/50#
1990 - grass/alfalfa hay - $65-70/ton
grain and pellets in the $5-6/50# range
board $50/month, worked off half (I paid $50, so board was $100)
1997 - I had moved to Colorado - hay $130/ton for grass, alfalfa $3.50/bale
1998 - grass hay - $108/ton delivered
board $150/month for self-care paddock
2001 - hay total for 3 for year - $542 (didn't write down per ton price)
COB - $6.50/50# sweet feed - $4.50/50#
After 2001 - I didn't list the break down for the different feeds per bag, just the yearly total.
Today: whole oats are like $12-15/50# bag
The fortified feed I use is $15-$18/bag
I don't use it, but last time I was at TSC Purina Omolene was like $18/bag
Sorry, I got a little nostalgic, and couldn't help myself when I was looking at those old records.
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That is great Chanda :)
Its crazy how "everything " in life has increased over the years !!
The Mixed bag I use these days is $32 , I use it to keep weight on my two biggies in winter.
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That is great Chanda :)
Its crazy how "everything " in life has increased over the years !!
The Mixed bag I use these days is $32 , I use it to keep weight on my two biggies in winter.
But, it also dated me; man I feel old. :o
I loved the ration balancer I was on a few years ago, but when it hit $35/bag, my budget couldn't take it any more, even with the small amount per head fed, I was feeding nearly a dozen minis and a saddle horse, so needed 3 bag per month. And, I can't seem to keep it simple in the feed room, so have alfalfa pellets in addition to their extruded feed that provides the vit/min lacking in their hay (some are getting senior, as they are doing well on it and it's easier to get than the extruded). [Also have a bermuda/alfalfa pellet that goes in the young stallion's treat ball, it's his breakfast and keeps him busy a little while.] This year with the drought and hay shortage, will probably have to add beet pulp to the feed room. I did pick up a couple bags of hay cubes, which I usually hate, but thought if I end up soaking beet pulp, I can throw a few hay cubes in the mix too to help stretch this year's hay. Will probably buy a complete pellet for the saddle horses, if they need more than the hay provides (they'll probably still just get a bale tossed in their feeder, but this year's hay is going to be dry and late season, so not prime by any stretch of the imagination)
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You have a better memory than I do, Chanda! Fabulous information.
I was 5 when I got my first horse, and certainly don't remember that many decades ago! :D
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You have a better memory than I do, Chanda! Fabulous information.
I was 5 when I got my first horse, and certainly don't remember that many decades ago! :D
Wish my memory was that good, but like I said, my dad had me keep records. Fun to look back.
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I was telling one of my high school kids that when I was little a pepsi was a dime and a hamburger was a quarter, but 60 cents was an hours pay. gas was 25 cents a gallon or less if there was a gas war.
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I remember those days, with the dime pepsi and the hamburgers a quarter. Remember when the first A&W came along, or the first McDonalds? I used to love those rootbeer floats from A&W!
I could fill my car for less than $3.00 (had a VW Bug), and my first job paid $1.26/hour, and I left there and went to work at IBM Federal Systems Division for $2.00/hour. That was really good money back then! I remember a can of Campbells Tomato Soup was 8 cents a can, and a loaf of bread less than a quarter -- and that was for the "good" stuff. Heck, rent that included everything was only $100 was I got married. Can't remember what college tuition was back then, but I look at what it costs now (and what college cost for my first daughter entering college) and nearly had a stroke. Then when it came to Medical School - oh boy, oh boy! Those were the days. I remember having 3 in college at the same time with 2 at home, and pinching every penny. I made all my kids leave Florida for school, but with sports scholarships, it cancelled out the "out-of-state" tuition costs.
So glad that part of my life is over!
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I remember when we were allowed to go to the milkbar with $1 for sweets and you would come out with enough to last you a week. Even the quality was better back then than it is now.
Now days everything is smaller and alot more expensive !!
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Just found some Lurcern bales at $15.90 :) :) :) :)
Will be picking some up tomorrow night
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Digging up an oldie, but it's the same topic... HAY!
Picked up one load of hay, it's grass mix (varying amounts of alfalfa in the bales), just glad ot have it. Same price as last year, $170/ton out of the stack; and it doesn't look promising that the grass field I usually get hay from will have any this year, or it'll be minimal (and not sure I want to drive back down there for more, 55 miles one-way).
Extra anxiety this year, as I blew a tire going to town yesterday for groceries and such. We're fine, only one tired suffered; and the 4 new tires look great. Due for new tires this fall, but didn't need the bill to come early. So, today pulling the trailer (with a different pick-up) every bump and creek had me jumpy.
Now to go unload at least part of the hay, a few bales will go in the two smaller barns, so will get those bales done first, and I can do the big unload tomorrow (Shayne, needs the pick-up, so will unhook, and I can unload later).
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I think this thread will always haunt us all in some way. Whether its the price, quality or lack of it.
So much of our country is in severe drought. Many hay farmers have been lucky to get one cut over the last two years. Saddens me to think things are so bad, many are taking their own lives.
:(
Hay prices are crazy here at the moment. I am so glad I brought 60 bales in March. I have 4 bales left of it. I put in another order which I will get in Nov. Its just a basic base hay. I add Lucerne and clover hay to it when needed.
Feeds stores are charging $25 for one bale of grass hay. Well over $30 for lucerne and without rain , these prices will only increase.
Please pray for rain for us ;pray
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;pray ;pray ;pray ;pray ;pray
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I follow an Aussie equine nutrition FB group, so I've been reading about the drought, and hay and feed shortages, so scary.
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It is scary. Without rain, I will have to reduce numbers for sure. If I cannot secure my hay in bulk for next year, i will really start to worry. Im glad I just said no to 4 preg mares coming to agist. It would have been great topic for here , but Im going to need every blade of grass I can get until mother nature sends some rain from up above.
Whilst we have had some rain over winter, its far from the average we do get.
North from me, Its baron and thats where many hay farmers are.
So if anyone does a good "rain dance" ?? Please be my guest :)
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Just managed to get 50 bales at $11. More importantly , he will come back down around Jan and we can buy more for the same price ( makes me rest a little easier going into winter next year)
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Just managed to get 50 bales at $11. More importantly , he will come back down around Jan and we can buy more for the same price ( makes me rest a little easier going into winter next year)
That sounds good. How big of bales? What type were you able to get? And, how many horses are you feeding? Just being nosy.
I have 13 mini horses (I think I've lost count), 1 mini donkey and 2 saddle horses; I only buy 3-5 ton of small squares (this year just 75 bales, around 75# each, so about 2.5 ton), the rest is homegrown in large rounds that are around 1200#. All mostly grass hay with a little bit of alfalfa. Then, I supplement with a bit of hay pellets, beet pulp and commercial feed (not everyone gets the same, so that's just a real basic list).
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Well as Im going into spring , I've ordered 50. This will get me through to the start of the year. Im more thinking of winter next year. I am currently feeding 6 at home at the moment. 2 Tbs and 4 minis.
Its a grass and clover blend. Its really just a basic grass hay but does have a little clover through it. I call it my "Base hay" Then I just buy Lucerne when I need it and its added to the grass. On top of that , Lucerne chaff and "extra Zero" during winter. Theses are just standard small squares. Due to a lack of storage at the moment at home , thats all I can get.
With hay prices ass they are at the moment , I have the fencing contractor coming next week. Ive got a 5 acre paddock that I am going to turn into 3 paddocks. The larger one at the back will be used to grow and bale my own :)
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We are in drought here too. We are on 13 acres and our paddocks are bare, in the 10 years we have lived here our paddock has never been bare.
I bought 2 round bales of Rhodes grass at $120 a round which are half gone and I've had them a month, its very dry, dusty hay and the horses didnt think much of it but they decided it was better than nothing.
Rhodes squares are around $14 a bale and the cheapest lucerne squares are $24 each. ]
I've heard recent stories of people having to give up their horses to the knackery because they cant afford to feed them anymore, one being a friend of a friend.
Really hoping for some rain ;pray
(before and after pics of our paddock)
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I m so sorry to see such devastation of your pastures. Drought is so terrible, and I'd be so happy to share the deluge of rain we get during our rainy season here in Florida. Mowing grass is a weekly chore now.
Our bare times are later in the winter. But my horses were always on dry lot, so lots of alfalfa was purchased over the years. Don't forget, with so much dirt/sand going into their guts when there's no grass, add some psyllium to their diet to keep their guts clear of sand build up. That was a monthly routine here, doing psyllium for 1 week out of each month. Kept them from colicing with sand build up.
Praying for rain for you and Ryan. ~~Diane ;pray ;pray ;pray
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I m so sorry to see such devastation of your pastures. Drought is so terrible, and I'd be so happy to share the deluge of rain we get during our rainy season here in Florida. Mowing grass is a weekly chore now.
Our bare times are later in the winter. But my horses were always on dry lot, so lots of alfalfa was purchased over the years. Don't forget, with so much dirt/sand going into their guts when there's no grass, add some psyllium to their diet to keep their guts clear of sand build up. That was a monthly routine here, doing psyllium for 1 week out of each month. Kept them from colicing with sand build up.
Praying for rain for you and Ryan. ~~Diane ;pray ;pray ;pray
Sand treatment is something I always forget about, as it's rarely been a problem for me or my horses. I didn't really deal with it, til I had Jasper, and dealt with his habit of grubbing around for every last scrap of hay; the others really didn't do that much, but I do see it a bit more now that they are on drylot. I suppose it time to get another round of sand clearing product. We like the Equus Psyllium pellets, they are much easier to get my group to eat.
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My cousin told me last night she had to get hay on the way home and they charged her $23.95 for a bale of plain grass hay :(
My hay order should be here in the next couple of days and Ive started putting some money away each week to I can order in Jan.
Hope you get some rain soon too Carly :)
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We had a drought here this year for the first time in my life. We went 8 weeks with no rain and 30degree temps most days. Was great for weight loss!! I got 100 bales of hay that i hope will do - not the best quality but it is something to eat. The rain then came and wheeeew my grass has shot up something fierce. My bottom paddock was split and the untouched part is near knee high now, and the penned off bit is still green despite horses on it (its tiny...like really tiny!!) the top paddock is less grassy but i plan to split it too cause the girls are fat as fools and we still have a good month of growing i think (and again they are FAT)
during the drought i literally had dirt fields. one week fo grass changed it all. crazy.
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that being said, im still putting out hay for Elvis and louis, because Elvis won't eat the short grass - or at least will only do it very reluctantly. He will stand at the gate for hours not eating in protest...which means louis will too cause he is a follower. When i had thriller he would eat the dirt if thats all the had and lou would too...so its good for Elvis cause hes fat and needs to loose a few lbs but Louis doesnt so he needs fed. Hard work lol
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Thats crazy hot for you Hayley isn't it ? I really hope our country gets some rain, there are parts in severe drought that havent had rain in years...................
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Think my hay is on the way :)
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Im booting this old thread up as things have got considerably worse here over the last 12 months :(
I can barely source hay without paying crazy prices for something that looks like it was baled in the early 1980s.
I know Ive mentioned the drought before and whilst we are getting rain where I am, many parts of the country where our hay is produced, just isn't and has not for years .
I purchased my "Winter supply" back in Jan, 120 Bales( I could not be happier with the meadow hay I have been getting for the last few years). Due to NO RAIN in Autumn here, there was no growth in my paddocks at all, so hence most of my winter supply is dwindling very quickly.
I am trying to source some round bales to take the pressure off but the cheapest I can find ( thats been undercover since baled) is around $200.00. They are already predicting it to double again next year.
I am at the stage now, I know I have to reduce numbers, How does one decide who to move on first ?? :( :( :(
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I wish I could share some of the Florida rain with you. We're in our rainy season with torrential rains every day -- not long, but wet enough.
Hay is always so expensive. I hope you can find another source you like.
I don't relish having to make your decisions on who to move first. Wish there were easy answers, but I never found any.
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Some say "last in, first out".
Perhaps one you don't get along with as well as the others. One that would most easily sell. Harsh as it sounds, if you have an old pensioner, consider the last kind act and euthanize.
Seems we are still in drought conditions during growing season, even though we had decent moisture over the winter, it's long gone now; but still no where near the drought OZ is experiencing. Your bagged feed costs have always been higher than mine, even accounting for exchange.
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Yeah its not going to be an easy decision to make. For some reason I do so well at accumulating horses, moving them on , not so well.
I had a feeling last year feed prices and lack of good quality feed, would be an issue here this year. I also did two stupid things. I booked another holiday back to America ( Probably should have waited a couple of years before returning, but as I had such an amazing time and being my 40th in Sept, I just booked anyway) The other thing was I took on an agistee. At one stage he had 8 horses at home , but I had to tell him to move 7 of them on, as I had no feed in my paddocks. The one mare he still has at home is Heavily pregnant, so the first foal at my property, since we brought it, will be born this year.
At least Ill have some time to think about whos moving on. whilst im away.
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Yeah its not going to be an easy decision to make. For some reason I do so well at accumulating horses, moving them on , not so well.
Me, too. Much better at accumulating more horses, than ever rehoming anything. And, I even had an inquiry this past week. I only have two that could be for sale, and since the guy was looking for a pet, and was a state and a half away, it wasn't practical to sell to him; but I did give him the name of a friend that is only a couple hours from him, and she in turn gave him two names that might have pet minis available.
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Oh dear Ryan I don't envy your position. Also heard that poor Aussieland has been having some serious weather problems this year, but the price for your round hay bales - WOW!! Unbelievable! I do so hope that you can get something sorted.
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Ryan, how big are your round bales?
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I have no idea to be honest. Ive never really been a massive fan of them for horses, only due to the mess they make around them.
I was watching a weekly report on the Tv and they are predicting next year will be worse :(
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The one mare he still has at home is Heavily pregnant, so the first foal at my property, since we brought it, will be born this year.
You'll have to share that upcoming baby with us!! You know how we love to watch these mares and their new little ones!
I used round bales here for several years as a supplement to their alfalfa bales, because I had all dry lot pastures. For me, although they are a bit messy, it just kept them chewing all day and they were very happy.
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I will grab some pics tonight. As if I would mention "heavily pregnant mare" and not supply pics to my friends hahahahaha
I really did try this year in regards to feed and making sure I had stock to get me through winter. I think I will have to buy another shipping container so I can stock some rounds
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Not related to hay at all , but do have one mare at home that is due to foal in around 10 weeks :)
Her bay friend will leave in the next couple of weeks to foal elsewhere. The grey mare is owned by a friend that is currently agisiting at home. By the time I get home she should be just starting an udder.
This will be her 8th foal. Shes a lovely sweet old mare :)
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Pretty girls! I want you to thoroughly enjoy your vacation trip, but can't wait to see this little one when you get home!! Thanks for the pictures!