If the Grass is Green, Can Hay be Far Behind?

Praise the Lord! It's raining. Pouring. We need it. (This photo is not local.)

I'm down to my last five bales of hay. My friend and hay supplier is bringing me 10 more square bales in the hope that it will last me until first cutting. The only hay that's been cut in my part of S.C. is hay grown in irrigated fields. The farm where Lily takes her lessons is out (but they have large grass pastures). A wholesaler we rely on in the next county is out. I paid $12.99/bale for two bales of alfalfa a few days ago, hoping to stretch out my coastal (I really don't know what I'm doing here, but I wasn't going to buy the timothy for $16.99. Not yet at least). I guess alfalfa cubes might be a better choice -- and I do know to soak them.

It will be a few weeks still before first cutting from my supplier. Somehow, we'll make it until then.

And yes, I know not to stock up on first cutting -- too many weeds. But after the past couple of years, it will be hard not to stock up on anything I can find.

But I'll try to be strong, have faith, all that. I'm just glad I only have to feed two horses.

And you've never seen people more grateful for the rain than S.C.'s horse owners. If it weren't lightning right now, I'd go dance naked in the rain.

Comments

[Momma Cowgirl]

I have been paying $13.85/bale for alfalfa for a few months now. There are 4 feed stores in my small town and only 1 grocery store, that sums it up that we have a demand for feed, but I am a little disturbed at the rising costs to it, but it costs "gas" money for the deliverers of it. The trickle down effect, I suppose.
Nice blog, I will come back often to read.
take care and happy horsin' around!

[Kris]

May goodness that is high! WE were fortunate enough to find round bales this year. Costal here is $7 and alfha is around $12. I have tried the cubes, our horses did not like them. And they were more expensive than just the bale of hay. Good luck!

[Grey Horse Matters]

Wow, I can't believe you are paying such a high price. I guess I would too if I had no choice. Hopefully, things will return to normal this year for everyone down south.

[risingrainbow]

I'm glad you've gotten some rain. I hope you get more. If you do decide to dance naked in the rain someone better get pictures. lol........sorry, I couldn't resist.

We're paying $13 a bale here for orchard grass. At the feed stores it's even higher. I don't even want to think about how much it costs to feed all of these horses at that price. I'm hoping they will be cutting here soon.

[photogchic]

You could probably work out a deal with your supplier if you do that raindance:-) Glad things are turning around--those are crazy prices!!

[ell]

Right after I read this yesterday, I talked to my local hay guy, who I see weekly as I still have no hay storage. He cut this week! I picked up amazingly green yummy bales on the way home from work. Timothy: 3.50 per bale. He said he felt bad to have to raise the prise for delivery to 4.50 per this year because of gas prices. I felt so lucky just then, I said, "No Problem!" I sure wish I had a way to "beam" some to you! Maybe you should just move north to Maine.

[wayne jones]

Wow that does seem alot to pay for hay.
I will pray for rain, we've just had rain storms here in the UK, if it does rain for you soon, naked pictures ? lol

Wayne :0)

[mrs mom]

Glad to hear you have rain Anne!!! We got an inch and a half the other day, and none too soon. Our lawn- which is normally mowed twice weekly in the spring, has been mowed once. ONCE. The grass here two days ago was crunching underfoot, and brown. Not a pretty sight.

Of course, we got the rain, and the weeds popped up knee high..... lol Greened up nicely over the drain field too, so I can hand graze the horses again ;)