RE: [RC] [RC] [RC] Where do you buy your Hay From? - Ranelle Rubin
Thanks D'Arcy..without getting into the specifics, if anyone wants to learn more about the dangers of gravity flow irrigation on our crops, check out what happened in the central valley of CA in the 80's. The same high levels of selenium, sodium, and trace minerals that caused serious birth defects in the birds of the Kesterson Resevoir left the rich soil of the valley, especially the western side, severely depleted.
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Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:05:51 -0800 From: cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx To: raneller@xxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] [RC] Where do you buy your Hay From? CC: vnicoson@xxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
You, see, that is why I love Ranelle! She is full of so much great information! I didn't even think of the why the sprinkler fed is so good I just know it is. Thank you, Ranelle, you are the BEST!
On Jan 21, 2008 5:00 PM, Ranelle Rubin <raneller@xxxxxxx> wrote:
..In addition, the Central Valley of CA is gravity flow irrigated which causes essential minerals like selenium to be washed out of the soil. NV and Tule Lake hay is sprinkler fed, and has a much higher nutrient value in respect to minerals.
I live in Northern California and get my hay from a grower. I get 25 tons delivered twice a year. The price over the last five years has gone from $110.00 a ton to $225.00 a ton - delivered. I am very careful where the hay comes from. I prefer the Tully Lake and Minden, NV area over Central CA. Central CA hay fields are watered out of the polluted irragation ditches. I also found, in the past, when I did get hay from that area, foreign objects and/or materials in the hay. Including and limited to branches (adds weight), wire, noxious weed (fettle neck), burrs, dead animals. and so on. The Tri-Mix and Grassy Alfalfa out of Tully Lake has been relatively clean of contaminants and is watered from natural aquafirs from the snow pack vs irrigation ditches.
Am curious and am shopping ahead at the same time...but where do you get or buy your hay from? From local hay sources, from hay dealers, grow your own?
If you buy your hay...when is the best time to buy (price wise)? Do you buy it all at once, or get it delivered/pick it up several times throughout the year?
If you buy your hay from a hay dealer/broker (or know of others who have)...is there any you would recommend and/or others you *not* recommend?
Do you get the small squares, large squares or small or big rounds?
I'm looking ahead as to where to get our hay for 2008 from. Fortunately we bought periodically through 2007 and started purchasing early before the drought came upon everyone. We're a little low on hay right now but can make do until the first cutting in 2008.
This year we won't have the time to do alot of hay hauling ourselves due to various family commitments (a wedding for one and trips too) and are looking at getting a load delivered or our having to get our own.
