[Jacob-list] Hay, etc

[Linda]

In this area, the NE corner of Georgia, alfalfa hay runs about $5 or $6/bale from 
the grower.  My neighbor had some very nice alfalfa/orchard grass hay delivered from 
Kentucky for $4/bale - delivered and stacked in the barn.  It tested out at 17% 
protein.

We get Russell Bermuda for $3.50/bale in the barn, $3.00 in the field.  These are 
good sized, weed and mold free bales.  They test at 15% protein. 
 
We used to pay $2/bale (well, we used to pay $1, but that was a LONG time ago) for 
weedy fescue.  The sheep did fine on it and we had no problems.  But when the price 
on light weight, sometimes moldy fescue went to $2.50/bale, the bermuda became the 
most economical choice.

It seems that there are many, many management techniques being used by sheep 
breeders and the sheep seem to be able to do well on them.  My feeding situation 
changes with weather conditions, feed availability, the number of my flock, etc.  I 
have good hay this year and rely on it more. There was a period last year when it 
was very hard to find any hay and I had to rely more on grain and alfalfa pellets.  
I don't have the time or the inclination to drive all over looking for feed, so we 
just adapt to what's available in our area.  Obviously, I am not talking about 
abrupt feed changes from day to day.

Linda


On Tue, 27 Nov 2001 06:33:32 +0800, Elaina Kenyon wrote:
>A question was asked about price of alfalfa hay in the SE.  The
>lowest price
>I've ever seen here (Raleigh area, NC) was $6.50 per bale; bales
>were around
>60 lbs.  I've seen it as high as $16 per bale for the same size.
>Bear in
>mind that this is from the feedstore and thus likely be more
>expensive than
>direct from a producer.  I don't know about round bales.  All round
>bales
>obtainable in this area are fescue, orchard grass or coastal bermuda
>grass.
>It is much more efficient here, both costwise and laborwise to feed
>round
>bales.
>
>Elaina Kenyon
>Avillion Farm
>Apex, NC
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Jacob-list mailing list
>Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
>http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list
>