We are in a drought kind of year. Perfectly
normal average rainfall, but it quit in March. Our grass is bone dry,
about 3 weeks early and the NW wind is howling, which has contributed to dry
ground and dry grass.
You hit the nail on the head about tractor costs,
diesel fuel costs, fertilizer costs (made from petroleum) and transportation
costs. We're looking at $20 per three-string, 125# bales this year, maybe
more.
The locals who have already fertilized their hay
fields for this years crop have told me the prices they paid THIS year were
much, MUCH higher than last year. All of the expenses for making that
hay have gone up. Fertilizer, weed kill, and the fuel for the tractors to bale
it, and the fuel to transport the hay. I think as our spring and summer hay
starts really being produced in our part of the nation (Texas, near Dallas) we
will see a huge increase of course, passed on to the buyers. Just to
have the neighbor bale my hay, he quoted me $2.00 per bale, about 60-65 pound
2 string bales. BUT, that quote was a guess, about 6 weeks ago. Fuel has gone
up yet again, and I'd guess by the time I might be able to bale some of mine,
it will be closer to $2.50 per bale. Now add in any fertilizer etc. that I put
on it, and I will be paying I'm guessing close to $4.00 just to bale my
own. If one has their own equipment, of course that expense is lower.
But then I am not making payments on those tractors etc. I think we will
be seeing a huge, HUGE price increase nationwide. And pray you do not end up
in an area with a drought kind of year....
