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I hate to say this but I live in mass and I just paid $295.00/ ton. This is this years hay and while it is nice and green it will not last my 6 guys very long. I wish I could find nice round bales and had more pasture ; = }

 

> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: "L gin" <ladurgin@xxxxxxx> 
>
> > 
> > In 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 a
> nd 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 farm
> ers 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. 
> > 
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