I recently wrote an article on the cost of making hay. Though originally written for Missouri producers, it struck a chord with cow-calf operators across the U.S. and sparked widespread conversation.
The article outlined 10 reasons you should quit making hay:
- High equipment costs. Equipment inflation has outpaced cattle prices by a ratio of 10:1 over the past 50 years.
- Over-equipped farms. Many farms own more equipment than is needed to get the job done.
- Haying takes time. Haying takes time away from tasks that could generate more income.
- Labor shortages. It’s hard to find good help nowadays.
- Variable forage quality. Weather, equipment and timing make it hard to consistently produce high-quality hay.
- Oversupply of hay. Many regions currently have more hay than demand.
- Haying removes nutrients. One ton of fescue hay removes 32 lb. of nitrogen, 12 lb. of phosphorus and 45 lb. of potassium from the soil.
- Soil degradation. Haying can compact soil and shortchange soil microbes.
- Profitable alternatives. Hay fields can be converted to more profitable enterprises.
- Cheap winter-feeding strategies. Stockpiled fescue, milo, corn and cornstalks offer lower-cost options.
Since publishing the article, I’ve received a wide range of feedback — some positive, some critical and many thoughtful questions. Below are a few of the most common reader-comments and my responses:
“We shouldn’t take advice from some university professor who has no recollection of how farming works.”
Fair point — and I should have introduced myself better. I grew up on an alfalfa, barley and cow-calf farm in southeast Idaho. I’ve owned and traded cattle, sheep and horses since I was 9 years old. I milked cows to pay my way through college. Today, I work as an applied researcher on the Cornett Farm in rural Missouri. My wife and I also own and operate a small farm where we graze seasonal cattle during the summer on warm-season grass pastures. We stockpile forage and feed purchased hay to our year-round herd.
“This is easy to say right now, but things are different during a drought.”
Absolutely. But remember — most costs, except for net wrap and hauling, don’t change during a drought, even if your hay yield drops. That means your cost per ton of homegrown hay also goes up too. Planning ahead is key. Hay prices often spike during droughts when producers run out of grass in mid-July. Buying hay early, when prices are seasonally lower, can help. Also, converting hay ground to pasture can provide additional grazing during dry spells.
“How do I ensure consistent hay quality if I start buying hay?”
Start by building relationships or collaboration with reliable suppliers. Request forage tests, inspect bales before purchase and consider long-term contracts to lock in quality and price. Many producers find that purchased hay — when sourced carefully — is more consistent than what they can produce themselves, especially when weather or equipment issues interfere.
“Why would farms with fewer than 400 cows be more profitable by purchasing hay?”
The 400-cow figure is a ballpark estimate. Haying can become marginally profitable at scale, but most U.S. cow-calf operations average 40 to 50 cows. These producers typically feed hay for about 130 days, requiring around 125 tons annually. With an average yield of 4 tons per acre, that’s about 30 acres of hay ground — hardly enough to justify owning a full line of depreciating equipment.
“Where do I start, and how do I transition to feeding less hay?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Transitioning to a year-round grazing system depends on your land, forage base, calving season and management style. Growing and stockpiling pasture is just one part of the equation. It requires planning, even in spring. Attending a grazing school is a great first step. Also consider adjusting your calving date. Lactating cows have nearly double the intake and nutritional demand. Feeding hay to lactating cows is expensive. Calving in sync with forage availability is almost always more profitable.
“Is this advice only relevant to Missouri, or does it apply to other regions too?”
While the examples are Missouri-based, the principles apply broadly. The economics of hay production, opportunity costs and alternative forage systems are relevant across the country. Producers should adapt these ideas to their local climate, forage species and market conditions. There are cow-calf producers in every state feeding cows through winter with minimal hay — find them and learn from their systems.
For many operations, especially smaller ones, hay production may no longer be the most efficient or profitable use of time and resources. By exploring alternatives such as stockpiled forage, custom grazing or strategic hay purchasing, producers can often reduce costs, improve soil health, and free up time for higher-value activities.
Every farm is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. My original article has done its job if it gets you thinking critically about your haying operation and opens the door to more sustainable, profitable systems.
Your Next Reads:
Instead of Making Hay: 4 Profitable Alternatives For Cattle Producers to Consider
Instead of Feeding Hay: 5 Profitable Winter Feed Alternatives for Your Cattle Herd
