Hay Prices for equine market

[theboytheboy]

Hi all,

Just wondering what people are charging for different sizes / types for the equine market.
I'm talking small numbers rather than selling by the artic load.

We offer:
4 foot round bales (average weight 250kg)
4 foot square (average weight 130kg)
8 foot square (average weight 260kg)
conventional (average weight 25kg)

We offer free delivery within a certain area based on a minimum order value (ie were not delivering 1 or 2 small bales at a time)

We charge £4.00, £4.50 and £5.00 per small bale based on grade but not sure what to charge for the bigger stuff.

Obviously I can work out how many conventional bales they equate to and come to a price but im struggling with what sort of discount to apply for the speed and ease of clearing a field with round or large bales if the weather is turning, plus the saving of my bad back in not having to handle them as much. (large bales delivered on transit tipper and up to customer to sort once on the floor)

Any input appreciated...........suspect there are to many variables (location, level of demand and supply, etc

 

[Lincs]

Most in the equine market won't want bigger bales as can't handle them so will expect the bigger bales heavily discounted.
Round here in Lincolnshire I know of someone who pays similar for small bales and they also have round bales which they pay £30. Personally i would pay £2.50 for small bales and £20-25 for round bales for horses.

 

[Laminated]

I charge £3.5 for meadow grass hay. £4 for rye and Timothy. £30 for 4.5ft round and £35 for 4.5ft haylage. Sell a large quantity each year. These prices are delivered within 15 miles

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Dont sell it to cheap , you are selling a service as well as a product , if the service is good put a value on it you cant work for nothing , £2-50 for horse hay is silly IMO , thats less than trade price , your small bale price is about right , For a good quality round bale with a bit off delivery you need to be around £35 if not more ,

 

[Laminated]

Dont sell it to cheap , you are selling a service as well as a product , if the service is good put a value on it you cant work for nothing , £2-50 for horse hay is silly IMO , thats less than trade price , your small bale price is about right , For a good quality round bale with a bit off delivery you need to be around £35 if not more ,

I am happy with £30 for round bale hay to customers within 1 mile of my yard. Good reliable people and I think it pays well. I take silage or haylage early in June then hay in July usually

 

[bobk]

Pile it high sell it cheap.....

 

[Dave6170]

Horsey folk love spending money. More expensive the better. We sell big rounds for £30, they come pick it up.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

@Dave6170. Well there's roughly eight ordinary bales in a big round. So IF the hay in the big round is of OK quality you are selling for £3.75 each. Great if they collect. Hopefully you return the favour & collect from them if one of the bales they collected is sh1t??
SS

 

[Grassman]

Most round bales in the yard will of cost well over £20 to make. How do you value the ones damaged in storage, delivery cost and warranty if you have to go and swop them. Also the bad payers have to be allowed for.
And then there is that dirty word called PROFIT!

 

[Grassman]

Also there needs to be some allowance for the bad years when it all goes wrong and you can't give it away!

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Making hay for cattle is not that difficult. Making GOOD hay for the equine market is very hard work and IMO the need to make it in big bales is going in the wrong direction. Make good small bale hay or break those big bales down during the winter into little bales and you will have a good market.
Again IMO most horsey folk can't handle big stuff so unless you aim for sales to Lambourne or Newmarket you'll never really be anything but a passing seller. If you do go for sales to the above you have to guarantee every bale each & every time, no messing.
SS

 

[Bob c]

why is making good hay hard work,........ little bales all the way

 

[bobk]

why is making good hay hard work,........ little bales all the way

View attachment 552788

View attachment 552790

Is that straw ?

 

[7610 super q]

Everlasting crap weather makes it hard work.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

@Bob c Nice to see someone with a good set-up, producing small bales. Thanks.
SS

 

[Dave6170]

@Dave6170. Well there's roughly eight ordinary bales in a big round. So IF the hay in the big round is of OK quality you are selling for £3.75 each. Great if they collect. Hopefully you return the favour & collect from them if one of the bales they collected is sh1t??
SS

Im only joking about jacking up the price. I only sell a few to neighbours, give some to close friends. If they get a poor 1 i ll replace it. Dont do it especially for the equine market. Sometimes get stuff that is good for nags, rest is for the coos

 

[Coximus]

Cost of production + Profit margin + $10 for horses to cover for the fact that irregardless of quality, something will be wrong.

 

[theboytheboy]

Dont sell it to cheap , you are selling a service as well as a product , if the service is good put a value on it you cant work for nothing , £2-50 for horse hay is silly IMO , thats less than trade price , your small bale price is about right , For a good quality round bale with a bit off delivery you need to be around £35 if not more ,

Currently charge £35.00 for rounds and £37.50 for some that is effectively organic but not certified.

 

[theboytheboy]

Horsey folk love spending money. More expensive the better. We sell big rounds for £30, they come pick it up.

We decided its better to deliver than have all sorts turning up whenever they like for a bale or two or helping themselves while your out in the middle of a field.
Also stops the undesirables turning up with perfect excuse for being in yard.

 

[It was already broken.]

What kit is that @Bob c?