8 things to do to ensure a good Hay selling result
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Water & Irrigation News
- Jul 04, 2017
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Producing and selling Hay is not an exact science and can vary so much from year to year. Here are 8 things you can do to ensure you get a good selling result.
1) Planning - It's essential to plan ahead, choosing what to grow, weed control, selecting paddocks, cutting time, what sort of equipment to use, selecting contractors, keeping an eye on seasonal conditions and having things ready for when the Hay is in the string.
2) End market in mind - If you are producing fodder to sell then think about your potential markets and what they might be looking for.
3) Drying - It relies on the crop being dried down to a point where moisture levels will no longer support growth of spoilage bacteria. Testing for moisture level is essential
4) Weight - Use a high-density baler to get as much weight into the bales as possible. Heavy bales are much more appealing to buyers due to the freight efficiencies gained
5) Move quickly - How many times we see Hay sitting in the paddock for long periods of time post baling. You need to act quickly, so get that hay out of the paddock asap.
6) Storage - Good Hay producers have top notch storage facilities, custom built sheds with all weather access are the best, but do come at a price. Cheaper forms of storage can be useful but not for long periods of time. Things like plastic on the floor and tagging to show different lines of Hay are helpful.
7) Testing - All Hay should be tested. Farmers want to know what they are putting down the throats of their livestock. To get the best selling result, a test is essential.
8) Marketing - Getting eyeballs on your Hay will ensure you have a higher chance of receiving the best financial result possible. Aligning yourself to one particular market each year can be a little bit dangerous. You need to open up a wide range of opportunities as sometimes you just might get lucky and have the right testing hay, in the right location at a particular point in time when demand is high
All the best for this coming Hay Season
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