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JoshuaGA
01-03-2008 18:05:05
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Re: Custom hay work in reply to KRUSS1, 12-15-2007 14:20:32
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Not sure what a TD-6 is, but at a minimum you will need a sicklebar mower, a side deliver rake, and a small square baler. Tractor needs to be about thirty horse with a live/independant pto and a slow first gear. If you can find some good older well maintained hay equipment, not including tractor, will cost $1000-$2000. have to buy another tractor, brings your cost up to $5000. If your a tinker, may get buy with a lot less initial investment, but will come in time. For costs, Seeding alfalfa probably $200 to $250 an acre, then fertilizer and chemical, then the fuel and equipment, make 5 tons to the acre over three acres 15 tons. 40 50 lb. bales in a ton. if we say you have $1250 in the hay before equipment.
Already have $2.09 in each bale. add in just hay equipment ($2000), we have $5.42 in each bale. Add another tractor to bring cost to $6000 total, and you have $10.00 hay. Not trying to scare you, but unless you want the fun, if hay is less expensive, you may be better served to pasture that land or find a more proitable use for it. Of course, I have been wrong before. .HTH
JoshuaGA
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