20 bales from 4.5 acre

El Kabong!

Hi all,

Noob here.

I have 4.5 acres of grassland in the Meath/Dublin area.

It had not been used for 3-4 years, I think.

Anyway, I had a fella cut and bale it last week but I only got 20 bales. I was expecting 40ish. I gave it to him for nothing (except goodwill).

I don't really have a clue about this stuff, but am interested in finding out if this is normal? Could it be because it was cut late in the year? It was definitely lower to the ground than earlier on.

Here it is a while ago:


and cut:




If I am to let him continue to cut it each year I wouldn't mind knowing what to reasonably expect from it. He did offer "a few bob" for it so I might set up a deal for next year, but I don't know what to expect really.

Just wondering if I should assume 10/acre or if there was less this year because he cut it high to avoid the white grass/thatch or something....

bbam

I'm no grass expert.
Your figure for 10 bales would be for land thats farmed and tended to.
Land that has nothing done but cut once a year will yield poorly. Also if nothing's been done since the last cut last year I wouldn't reckon the bales would be up to much anyway.

El Kabong!

Ok thanks. yes that's another reason why I wouldn't take anything off him. I was happy just to get it cleared. I don't think it had been cut in about 3 years actually....

Anyway, I have made a friend, he owns the field next to me so he will keep an eye on things for me and it saves me having to buy a mower!

I'm sure he knows it's poor stuff, but it might be "emergency rations" for his cows I guess, plus he has his foot in the door now and can get better stuff from me in the coming years.

lakill Farm

rent the 4.5 acres to him for €110-130 an acre a year

El Kabong!

no, I want sole use of it myself....