Organic hay - what's it worth as a standing crop?

[New Puritan]

I wouldn't ordinarily do this as I don't like selling nutrients off the farm, but various circumstances mean I am looking at the options.

I have a 2 year ley of grass and red clover which was flailed a few times last year and the year before, and is due to be ploughed in later this summer.

How much is it worth to someone as a standing crop? There's 15 acres of it. Given I don't have anyone lined up I can't say what type of bale it would be in.

It's been hand rogued for dock seeds and is really quite clean for organic.

On the Kent / East Sussex border near Rye.

 

[New Puritan]

Just to add, I'd also be interested in getting it grazed, but there are some logistical issues...

 

[Tim W]

Same as ''conventional'' grass crop in your area----never made any difference in price when i've been selling

 

[New Puritan]

Thanks @Tim W - that's fine, but as I have never sold it before I still have no idea what to expect. I assume it would be best to sell it by some combination of DM and weight, but as most people are not going to be able to weigh it, it would be by bale? What sort of prices do different bales go for? Everything I have read has just confused me more, about baler pressure etc. How does anyone know what they are getting? Please excuse my ignorance.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Surely it should be worth less...

 

[Tim W]

I think it's more to do with local demand than anything else, i have sold standing grass crops this year for £35/£40 acre and £5.50/round bale
(buyer does all the work)
Others report getting plenty more when there is a demand from horse owners/dairy farmers ---think you would be best off looking at local prices if you can

 

[jondear]

Paid 40 back in may .Depends on local demand .

 

[New Puritan]

Thanks @Northeastfarmer !

Just to explain my motivations, this field is about to get a load of compost spread, which should compensate for the loss in P/K. The red clover is doing much less than it was, which to my understanding means the soil now has a fair bit of N in it. Red clover works harder / i.e. outcompetes better when there is low N. Cutting the grass and removing it should push the clover to get going again for one last hurrah before I plough.

Anyway thanks @Tim W & @jondear - I think I will base it on the per acre value you have given. I have someone interested but wanted some idea what to expect so that when they offer me a price I've got something to compare it with.

Thanks,
NP.

 

[jondear]

If it carries on dry like this in the south west it would be worth 30 quid a round bale by winter!Here

 

[Werzle]

Mowing grass auctioned on behalf of the nature trust/natural england somewhere in herefordshire last week made around £100/acre . Had no fert and can only be cut for hay, so ive been told.

 

[jondear]

Mowing grass auctioned on behalf of the nature trust/natural england somewhere in herefordshire last week made around £100/acre . Had no fert and can only be cut for hay, so ive been told.

But does it have certification.?

 

[Werzle]

But does it have certification.?

No