Weather and haying

Irish Pixie · #21 07/09/15, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael W. Smith

Then you would be the exception. Most horse people are (nose in the air), "This hay isn't good enough for MY horses."

The local dairy farm got out of dairy cows about 3 years ago - they are strictly crop farmers now - corn, soybeans, & winter wheat. I'm quite certain they are relieved that they don't even have to try to bale hay this year.

A guy I work with - a hobby farmer - always takes a week vacation and makes hay. He sells mostly to the horse people - but sells to anyone and always runs out. His total hay harvest so far this year is 0 bales. ZERO. He took his week vacation and watched it rain EVERY single day.

By now, most farmers are harvesting their second cutting of hay. Most of them are still waiting for their first cutting - watching as the hay grows taller, blooms, and is getting "old" - all the while it rains every day or every other day.

I'm thinking for anyone who got ANY hay - they can sell for premium prices!

I'm of the opinion that beggars shouldn't be overly choosy. As long as it's not moldy, dusty or just stalks it's fine. My horses don't need premium hay, they're just pasture ornaments now. I had to have the good stuff when I had a breeding operation.

There's a reason why horse people need decent hay- horses are much more susceptible to respiratory problems from dusty hay than other livestock. Moldy hay can cause colic, and stemmy hay can cause impaction colic. It's more about the animals health than it is about a nose in the air must have perfect hay. The good part is that most of us are willing to pay more (in some cases significantly more) for good hay.