New hay vs old hay?

[BethW]

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I figured I'd ask you all just in case

My hay guy typically sells his first cutting orchard/timothy hay for $7 a bale. He has some from last year (a year old now) that he's selling for $3 a bale. It's been kept under cover in a hoop house type barn, so the outer layers are bleached from sun, but otherwise sheltered from moisture.

Good deal, right?

[agmantoo]

To feed goats I would buy the $3 hay.

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

To feed goats I would buy the $3 hay.

X2

big rockpile

[Pony]

As long as what's inside the bale is green, leafy, and fresh-smelling, go for it.

But don't buy any without having him open a bale or two (tell him you'll pay for any he opens).

I found this out the hard way, and now have 15 bales of lovely... bedding. It's too dusty to feed my goats.

ARGH!

[Minelson]

How many bales are you talking about?

[tyusclan]

As long as it's been kept dry and it's not moldy (that's what the dust is when you see a "dusty" bale) I'd certainly use it.

[Mark T]

How far are you from Charlottesville?

The $7/bale sounds high unless it is alfalfa.

I'm in Charlottesville and am selling 40 pound bales for $4/bale or $5/bale delivered stacked in the barn.

For folks who can work around the haying schedule, I sell for less out of the field.

Mark

[Joshie]

Wow, new alfalfa is only $3 here.

[rambler]

Yea, southern MN grass hay is considered a waste product, alfalfa is typically $3 a bale or less 'cept for rare times.

In the late 1970's I pulled hay out of the barn with a newspaper from 1952 in it - yes it was that old. Stayed dry,t he cattle loved it, good feed. Perhaps some micro-nutrients fade out, but if you feed any grain or minerals or suppliment you will be just fine with older good hay.

--->Paul

[littlebitfarm]

Watch out for the bottom layer of hay. That will be the worst of it. Most likely to have mold spots, even if all the other bales are fine.

Kathie

[Slugmar]

If you open a bale and the dust float like smoke out of a wood stove then that is mold but if it looks like particles in the air it is just dust. Dust can still cause some respitory problems in animals though.

[cjg24]

In Arizona - we are paying $11 for a bale of alfalfa! I'd think I died and gone to heaven for $3 a bale!