Hay 2022

First bit of hay saved for the year. Done it for a neighbour. He has about 100 small square bales to sell if anyone around the midlands are interested.

Just after giving it a bash with the Haybob. I'm going to stat bailing about 6 this evening, the Hay should be cracking good by then. I'm down to 8 acres after wrapping 7 acres last night. Made 77 bales, and I'm expecting at least 70 Hay bales so not too bad.

I have a feeling that we might not get this Rain on Tuesday either, I just don't trust the forecasts of late they have been very hit and miss and may have wasted 2 rolls of plastic but we'll see

Is that the stuff that was only cut last Thursday before Fridays rain ?

Reason I ask is I cut mine on Thursday too but not a hope would it he fit to bale this evening.

Did it get many turns ?

Cut Thursday, turned Sat,Sun and today. Will row up for the Baler in about an hours time and leave it till 8 before bailing. Yesterday was a much better day on Hay than I thought, the stuff was cracking this morning as I shock it out.

I have already taken half in Hayleadge as it was too green and leafy for Hay. It's probably similar to what you have. The rest was steamy overgrown stuff that was halfway saved as it was cut. I noticed Met has changed the forecast from Rain tomorrow to patchy drizzle in places. By the sounds of it will not get a drop but can you do when they make forecasts like that.

Another 24 acres done here today for a neighbour. Cut Thursday and turned 3 times. Being baled up atm

Good stuff great to get it.

Mine like that was cut Thursday, got soaked Friday, turned Saturday n twice today but is nowhere near fit for baling - even square baling.

I'm just hoping Wednesday and Thursday come ok n I might get it - if not I'll wrap as hayledge Thursday. Fingers 🤞

Today was a cracker in fairness, just a pity twas only the one day

It is. Same here. Fellas talking about three turns and fit. No chance with the hay Bob. Need 5 usually.

What are round bales of hay making this year?

Round bales of hay between 35 and 40 down this way

All depends on what is in the bale and how well it's made. Some crap has been baled and some good stuff has been baled aswell

What make did you buy.

You know yourself it's just so hard to buy second hand as you could be buying a whole heap of trouble/crap that could cost alot in long run.

Best of luck with it anyway.

Made 217 square bales yesterday evening - took a gamble with a few blows left in the middle of a field cut the previous sunday for wrapping. Worked out grand stuff. 100 left to bring in this evening hopefully. A bit of hardship but all forgotten about next winter when a few small bales are handy to have.

Brother has Glas traditional haymeadow to cut in July. Will make rounds of that if weather allows.

Kicking myself I did not bale yesterday evening ,very green turned 3 times but only cut thursday .Got 6 mls of scuttery mist this morning ,day brightening up but no life at all .Tomorrow looks good but no wind and Thursday likewise.

What would ye do lads???

I'm in very same position here. Just hoping it will keep saving away today and tomorrow and bale Thursday afternoon but wondering will be ok to bale Hay in these cloudy conditions or would you need a bit of sun the day you bale ?

Also, not sure whether to turn today or not ?

Like yours it's been turned 3 times so far

Serious muck weather on the way according to met eireann....

Silage costs over €30 to make, realistically it's costing between €35 and €40 when you add back in the cost of bring in the Bales too. I doubt you meet many to sell it at a loss but continue wishful thinking away for yourself. Most folks will just leave it in the yard and use it the following year as next years stuff is going to cost even more to make.

As for Hay, with so little being made it's going to hit €60 a bale and maybe even higher

The cost to make it is irrelevant to supply and demand. When silage was in plentiful supply 2 or 3 years ago there was lads selling it for €12 a bale to get rid of it. They weren’t even covering the contractor charges

I have both hay and silage to sell so there’s no one here hoping you’re right and I’m wrong more than me but unfortunately I can only see it being the other way around. If silage isn’t making €40 plus a bale I won’t be selling it and I’ll keep it for the following year but there will be plenty of lads that want rid of it and will sell it at what the market prices dictate.

Any amount of hay made around here the last few days too and it’s early in the year for a lot of lads with hay. 2 good weeks in July and there’ll be a world of hay made too.

Very good best of luck with it. He does have a few up for sale. Was he ok to deal with ?

No but it is not unusual to see it sold at a loss either.

I got bales for end of Winter 2020 and they were 12 a bale. He wanted them gone.

You wouldn't want to be relying on it to happen. Savage to the world volume in crops this year.

40 to 45 wouldn't be bad to pay next winter.

Don't forget the moisture meter anyway

He imports from Europe. I guess everyone is a little roll of the dice but not heard of anyone being left stuck. Only way if testing is to get it in the field. Neighbour has one from him the last 3 years.

Let us know how it goes when you get around to using it anyway

Have to say I'm fond of the Kverneland

Exactly, €40 a bale is the max any man is going to give. If hay is at €60 a bale it’s the mart the hay buyer will head for with a few of his cattle and he’ll forget about buying hay, no matter what fairytale land the man selling the hay is living in.

Last drought in the US saw farmers paying $200 dollars a hay bale in parts. There's already a fodder shortage in mainland Europe as they are effected much worse than us with the dependance on fertilizers and it's high price has led to a major Cull in livestock. Cattle of all types are going to be very expensive next Spring, lads will have no issue with ensuring they are fed.