Haying Fields

[orion]

A guy stopped by and asked if he could cut our fields for hay, Our fields are OLD hay fields which have been brushed hogged yearly for the last twenty or so years. Nothing else has been done with them, if you ask me they don't look much like grass as much as they used to.

 

Is there much value in the fields? Do we need to get any type of liability waiver incase he hurts himself? Just wondering what others do?

 

Thanks

[G-Man]

Grasses will grow back, a lease is best to protect you and if large enough area is going to be leased it can give you a tax break as well

[G-Man]

Value may be few dollar an acre to more if he intends to work the fields at some point. And remember they are cutting them so you save time and fuel not having to brushhog

[genesee_mohican]

Grass fields are good cover for deer and eventually turn into brush lots and brush lots hold deer....Lots of deer! It supplies a bedding area and renewable browse.  It's also habitat for song birds and other valuable wildlife.

 

Edited February 29, 2016 by genesee_mohican

[Jason118]

Farmer cuts my parents old fields that sat for a decade after the horses were sold. Cows will eat it. no or early second cutting so there's some growth come deer season. We're not talking some well to do farm operation ~ I'm sure it helps him out plenty and just the same that it is to us.You brush hog them anyways which we would also do if the farmer didn't want it.

[wildcat junkie]

I get $.50 for square bales & $5 for round bales depending on what the farmer does in a particular year. It will also save you the cost of bush hogging & will be more attractive to the deer in early fall before frost hits the new growth of green grass.

 

An added bonus is that if the farmer spreads manure, it will become a serious turkey magnet as they pick through the manure.

Edited March 1, 2016 by wildcat junkie

[dbHunterNY]

if it's old hay field, he'll probably only get at most 2 cuttings off it.  probably won't fertilize it unless he's got a cattle and is close by to spread manure.  if you're mowing it anyway just let him.

[orion]

Thanks  We figure it will save us time, fuel costs and wear and tear on machinery.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Hay shortage, around this area for the last three years. First cutting wild hay selling here for $175/ ton, if you can find it.

[dbHunterNY]

Hay shortage, around this area for the last three years. First cutting wild hay selling here for $175/ ton, if you can find it.

 

we're about $10 over that. not haylage or high moisture wrap round bales.  that's normal square bales.  you come get it and we help load.  seems it's been a little short recent years but not too bad.

[Pygmy]

The Mermaid has perhaps  40 acres of old hayfield on her 107 acres.. I have limed and fertilized about 8 acres adjoining the woods and have planted food plots there for 7 or 8 years now.  The rest is hayed by a neighbor..The hay ain't much, mostly weeds, but she does not charge him for it. Every year he leaves 3 round bales in a strategic place where I can use them as a ground blind to watch my food plots.  Works for us...