Posted 11/27/2012 17:10 (#2719932 - in reply to #2719838) Subject: Re: Price to Lease ground for hay
SEON
martin - 11/27/2012 15:39
2 ton/acre is an awful low yield. But then again, if you are not going to apply fertilizer, that might be all you will get.
edit: BTW, we generally look at mowing and raking costs being on a "per acre' basis. Why the "per ton" basis? Also, are you looking at one cutting per year, or multiple cuttings per year? (for alfalfa?)
Care to elaborate?
I figured 3 bales/acre 1st cut + 1.5 bales/acre 2nd cut. 3 x 3 x 8 x 850 lb bales. It's pretty dry country where I am. 2012 we only got 2 bales/acre 1st cut an zero 2nd. land lords still get their money though. And there is no crop insurance crutch for hay.
I figure everything on a cost per ton basis because that's how it gets sold. Then the hay selling price = cost + profit required. 2011 we got ~2200 tons of hay of 1200 acres. 2012 we only ~1100 tons....that drives the cost per ton way up.