[RC] feed prices...the rest of the story :) - Cindy Collins
I have several good friends who are hay producers in our area. I think it's only fair that RC get "the other side of the story." Here are things I hear from them:
• The price of farm diesel skyrocketed during the spring and summer months when folks were "making hay."
• The price of twine has gone up. Made of plastic.......a petroleum product. • Plastic gated pipe and the 'gates' that go in them are plastic.........another petroleum product. • The cost of replacement parts (made of steel) have risen dramatically. As has shipping to your farm. • The cost of fertilizer has tripled if not more in price. • The cost of seed has risen.........costs the grower more to produce the seed and he, of course, passes it along to the farmer that wants to plant that seed. • The cost of trucking rose dramatically. Horses are a luxury item.
....why would anyone producing hay keep producing if they didn't at least try to cover their costs and MAYBE actually make some money.
This said, we all know that there are predatory people who rip folks off with glee. However, most family hay producers are just trying to survive. It's human nature to complain about rising prices, but remember...how would you feel if you didn't get a raise in pay for years and your expenses for doing your job keep going up? Just some food for thought. Cindy
