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[RC] Hay prices - L ginIn NW Ga. the drought is so bad, following last years drought--round bale prices are really up, as much as double. I live in a valley of hay and straw farms, today we got the first measureable rain, since early spring. Our valley seems to get skipped by even small storms that rain 10 miles away. I usually buy 800--1000 lb round bales (4X5)-- for years bought it for 25-27$ delivered--About 2 years ago it went up to around 30$.fescue/bermuida or just bermuda. Fescue is common around here. Bermuda is usally more. I moved during the drought and went thru 3 neighbors that would have sold me more for less-- but ran out. The best I got was 25$ for Orchard grass. I had to go to square bales , thru the feed store and got some for 2.50$ a bale, (50 lb) and bought all I could-- there were 50$ round bales -- but I didn't have to buy those (60 $ in Atlanta). This year is worse. I bought 30 round bales and tarped them_(as long as you leave air space on the sides, it works well. I use one a week. My neighbor apologised for charging me 40$--usually he sells for around 20.00-something he said. These farmers have cows and other jobs-- and sell the leftover. I have heard the cost of fuel, fertilizer and potash are all way up ( went up a couple years ago, said the china was buying up the potash). He told me he just put 900$ of fertilizer on his field and if it doesn't rain, it's a loss. Most of the farmers are using Chicken fertilizer. ( I know , because one dumps about 20 loads about 150 feet from my front door---sending me about 10,000 flys a day--;0( The creeks have dried up, and farmers are sending their cows to auction, it's so full, they are thinking of closing it for a while. Last year people were stealing hay- One guy lost 150 roundbales. Someone tried to steal a bale in the field front of us, my son scared them off , man and woman trying to roll one onto a trailer in the dark. Sadder still, are rumors people are turning their horses loose in the mountains. Owner at the feed store said people were taking their horses to auction and leaving false names and addresses so they couldn't make them pick them up if they didn't sell. I had a guy come knock on my door looking for hay for his cows. I know the cow owners are in a tight place, but at least they can acution their cows or eat them. Horse owners won't eat their horses-- and don't want to auction them for a temporary problem. LUckily, we have trailer, can go get 5 roundbales at a time, some people are stuck with just their pickups............. and there are some people taking advantage of the shortage............. So I bought what I could get next door-- but will need 20 more bales before next year.... they said there wouldn't be a secound cutting this spring, too stunted.Maybe this fall or the Bermuda may come in late summer.But I see the cost only going up.........add transportation costs... I usually use roundbales for my 4.5 equines. One a week. Have a little pasture-- Roundbales usually save me about 30% or more in cost per lb. ----So my cost used to be about 75$ a ton , and now is about 100$ a ton for grass hay. When I had to go to square bales , I did cut back hay daily, but added beet pulp feedings. The problem with square bales is I don't have much storage for them. _________________________________________________________________ Need a break? Find your escape route with Live Search Maps. http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?ss=Restaurants~Hotels~Amusement%20Park&cp=33.832922~-117.915659&style=r&lvl=13&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=1118863&encType=1&FORM=MGAC01 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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