VA Hay Auction Report—post #27; Going back 3/19-who wants to join me?

[Oldenburg Mom]

Anyone interested in getting together and going to Hinton for a group purchase? I do NOT want to pay $8.00 a bale, and the hay being sold down there is much less. I would NOT be profitable for me to go down by myself, as I don't have $1K to plunk down.

Here's the latest hay report ...


RH_GR310
Richmond, VA Thu Jan 17, 2008 USDA-VA Dept of Ag Market News

Virginia Hay Report

Rushville Semimonthly Hay Auction, Hinton, VA on Jan 16, 2008

Prices per ton FOB unless otherwise noted.
Most loads delivered free within 10 miles of auction site.
Delivery beyond 10 miles mostly 2.00 per mile.

Hay 90 tons.

Alfalfa
Large square
Premium 157.50 per bale

Alfalfa-Orchardgrass Mix
Small square
Good 4.10- 5.00 per bale
Small round
Premium 165.00-190.00

Mixed Grass
Small square
Good 5.00 per bale
Fair 2.60 per bale

Large round
Premium 150.00-190.00
Small round
Good 50.00- 65.00 per bale

Orchardgrass
Large square
Premium 173.00 per bale
Good 80.00 per bale
Large round
Premium 175.00-215.00

Straw
Large square 29.00 per bale

Timothy
Large square
Premium 86.00 per bale

Official USDA hay standards/grades do not exist. The following hay
quality designations and guidelines are used to describe and report hay.

Alfalfa Guidelines
For domestic livestock use and not more than 10% grass

Quality ADF NDF RFV TDN-100% TDN-90% CP
Supreme <27 <34 >185 >62 >55.9 >22
Premium 27-29 34-36 170-185 60.5-62 54.5-55.9 20-22
Good 29-32 36-40 150-170 58-60 52.5-54.5 18-20
Fair 32-35 40-44 130-150 56-58 50.5-52.5 16-18
Utility >35 >44 <130 <56 <50.5 <16

RFV calculated using the WI/MN formula. TDN calculated using the western
formula. Quantitative factors approximate and many factors can affect
feeding value. Values based on 100% dry matter (TDN showing both 100%
and 90%). Guidelines used with visual appearance and intent of sale.

ADF Acid Detergent Fiber
CP Crude Protein
NDF Neutral Detergent Fiber
RFV Relative Feed Value
TDN Total Digestible Nutrients

Grass Guidelines

Quality Crude Protein Percent
Premium >13
Good 9-13
Fair 5-9
Utility <5

Quantitative factors approximate and many factors affect feeding
value. Values based on 100% dry matter. End usage may influence
hay price or value more than testing results.

Source: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
USDA-VA Market News, Richmond, VA 804.786.3947
www.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketnews/ (http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketnews/)
market.news@vdacs.virginia.gov

1015e bbl mbc

[Oldenburg Mom]

Ok. We've got one person that is thinking about it (La Gringa)

I'm in agreement with the Orchard Grass with a little alfalfa. ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE??? C'mon, we can do this!!

[Oldenburg Mom]

Ah, Kiindra. I just figured out why you didn't post on this thread. YOU CAN'T!!! :lol:

[admin]

Sorry about that--remnant of the old format. Other members should be able to posts replies on threads now.

My apologies!

[Oldenburg Mom]

Some math to consider:

1. For ME, Hinton is 75 miles away. That mean, over and back, about $50 in gas.
2. Say I buy, 40 bales of hay (per asking price of $5), means $200, plus $50 in gas, that's $250.
3. $250 divided by 40 = $6.25 a bale.
4. The best I can find around me is $8.00.

Just an example, ... you need to do the math to.

[La Gringa]

How much would we have to purchase at the auction?

When is the auction?

[Fairview Horse Center]

Rushville Semimonthly Hay Auction

I would probably be interested, but not for a month or so.

[Uncle Fester]

I can get LARGE square bales 3x3x8 (700-900lbs.) from upstate NY. Grass hay. They want $100/bale but will only deliver a full truckload of 57 bales.

I have 24 bales spoken for. Anybody else interested? It will be delivered to the Haymarket/Nokesville area.

[La Gringa]

I am going to PA today to get a load of hay, I can't wait any longer I am down to 4 bales.

I did find some on Craigslist,

There is hay, you just have to search, and be willing to drive a couple of hours. For me it's more than worth it to drive a few hours than pay 10 bucks a bale!

All the feed stores around here are charging 10 a bale, and some of the regular hay suppliers are charging 8-9. That's outrageous!

[La Gringa]

Gorgeous hay!

I just got a beautiful load of 2nd Cutting orchard for 5.50 a bale.

PM me if you want info, you have to go pick up, near Gettysburg PA.

It's only 90 miles from me so it was well worth it. Great hay and he has quite a bit left!

K

[coco21]

I might be interested in buying some hay in Hinton. I'm in Scottsville, it would be about an hour and a half trip for me so I'd have to make sure the hay is worth it though. I can get some orchard grass hay locally for $6.00 a bale but the horses aren't exactly crazy about it and I don't want to see it wasted even at that price.
Oldenburg Mom... where are you located?

[Applesauce]

I'm about an hour from Hinton. Can someone tell me when the auction is?

[InVA]

I am going to PA today to get a load of hay, I can't wait any longer I am down to 4 bales.

I did find some on Craigslist,

There is hay, you just have to search, and be willing to drive a couple of hours. For me it's more than worth it to drive a few hours than pay 10 bucks a bale!

All the feed stores around here are charging 10 a bale, and some of the regular hay suppliers are charging 8-9. That's outrageous!

I can vouch for the hay La Gringa got - its gorgeous and yummy looking!

[Oldenburg Mom]

I propose a conference call for anyone interested in grouping for Hinton auction hay. Anyone interested, how about tomorrow about 8:00 am? OH, plus, there's another auction in Orange (the town). It might be worth looking there first as it wouldn't be quite so far... BUT, the prices may be higher.

I bought 5 bales this weekend from a new supplier. Ugh. $8 a bale. La Gringa... what was the mileage? Was it worth it????

Applesauce ... Hinton is about 45 minutes for me, so we're talking about the same gas costs.

[Applesauce]

I am definitely interested. I was actually just going to give the auction info to my hay guy so that he can go. Can you provide details on when and exactly where it is?

[coco21]

[QUOTE=Oldenburg Mom;2969156]I propose a conference call for anyone interested in grouping for Hinton auction hay. Anyone interested, how about tomorrow about 8:00 am? OH, plus, there's another auction in Orange (the town). It might be worth looking there first as it wouldn't be quite so far... BUT, the prices may be higher.
QUOTE]

I would be interested in a conference call. Just let me know how. I'm also interested in the Orange auction as that's closer to me.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Applesauce, I have to find out by calling the DOA in Richmond. Be right back.

address: 38 Whitmore Shop Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

[Applesauce]

So the next ones are Feb 2 and Feb 15th. What time does it start?

[Oldenburg Mom]

Don't know ... I'm guessing early ... I'll call them and report back.

Anyone up for a conference call? I'll need your phone numbers if so ... (PM them???)

[Applesauce]

I would but I can't. I'll be down in my barn doing 16 stalls, feeding and turning out.

[La Gringa]

I propose a conference call for anyone interested in grouping for Hinton auction hay. Anyone interested, how about tomorrow about 8:00 am? OH, plus, there's another auction in Orange (the town). It might be worth looking there first as it wouldn't be quite so far... BUT, the prices may be higher.

I bought 5 bales this weekend from a new supplier. Ugh. $8 a bale. La Gringa... what was the mileage? Was it worth it????

Applesauce ... Hinton is about 45 minutes for me, so we're talking about the same gas costs.

The mileage from The Plains was 95 miles. Yes it was worth it. I saved about 400 bucks by driving a short trip up there.

K

[Oldenburg Mom]

Well, here it is folks. This past weekend I paid $10 a bale. Missed the Feb 2nd one. Feb 15th.

ANYONE???? La Gringa, I called your guy. But it's 150 miles, ONE WAY.

[Schiffon]

OM, did you already get the hay you wanted? I'm south of F'burg and could be interested in a group buy. Do you have a way to haul it? The website quoted $2.00 per mile, which, depending upon the size of the truck gets the price way up there.

You can email me from my website if you want.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Schiffon ... I'm getting ready for Sunday. Can you call me at 703.518.1403 around 12:30? I've got one other person ... and two trailers.

[La Gringa]

Well, here it is folks. This past weekend I paid $10 a bale. Missed the Feb 2nd one. Feb 15th.

ANYONE???? La Gringa, I called your guy. But it's 150 miles, ONE WAY.

It was only 90 for me. I felt it was worth it, I saved like 400 bucks, and got great hay. It took an afternoon, big deal.

Saving 5 bucks a bale was worth the trip!

K

[Oldenburg Mom]

Ok. Here we go ...

I'm going to the Hinton hay auction tomorrow ... leaving here at 8:00 am and (hopefully) returning with hay by noon-ish.

I'm pretty nervous. I've never been to an auction before, much less a HAY auction ... but what the heck. It's just LIVE ebay,... right?

Wish me luck ... and I'll report back tomorrow.

[Oldenburg Mom]

AUCTION REPORT:

HOLY SMOKES! Anyone who thinks there is a hay shortage in VA needs to go to the auction. There was a LOT of excellent hay ... round bales, large square bales, small ... prices went from about 2.10 for 165 bales of ho-hum quality orchard grass to ... I don't know 6 something per bale. The biggest problem is you have to buy quantity. The smallest load there, small bales, was 31. If the price is 5.50 per bale that's 160. Hmmmm. That's not very much. IMPORTANT: TAKE A CALCULATOR with you.

I spent $25. on gas (which really surprised me) and bought two gorgeous large bales for $175 ... because I met the owner of the farm who agree to sell me two for the auction price (his farm was just a mile down the road.) There were probably 50-75 people there, 95% men (I think there were two other ladies there) and nice nice nice people. All of them willing to help you ...

A very very positive experience and I will DEFINITELY go back again. Oh, and there's no fee for the auction...at least for the buyers.

Oh, and here is my breakdown of cost: each bales weighed 700 pounds, so that's 1400 pounds total. I was paying $8.-$10 per 50 lb bale before I went down. I paid (for the 1400) $175 ... plus gas $25, makes $200. That means I paid $7 a bale.

I think I'll do better next time ... but we'll see.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Thanks OMOM! So if I go there with a truck and trailer, I could bid on a lot of hay with 100? bales, then is there someone to help load it onto my vehicle? Is there any way of negotiating delivery for a larger load of hay?

Do they always have to pray for no rain on that Wed? <eek>

[Oldenburg Mom]

Fairview,

They have loaders there ... but call and talk to Tom. He's the auctioneer, and a heck of a nice guy. Do you know anyone with a flatbed? That's the easiest, as they can automatically load it.

I have to say I was surprised ... take a look at the Auction results with the link at the bottom of my posts ... the VA hay report. I think it will be out sometime today... for yesterday's auction. A lot of really really nice hay with a range of quality.

[Sundown Farm]

Hey guys, or hay guys..... lol


I really need the contact info for available hay.. Anything we can buy that can be around $5-5.50 a bale... Traveling to PA would not be a problem!!

Need excellent hay NOW!! We have been feeding what people have had (around here)... There have been 5 or 6 local horses that have died from colic (in the last month). (none of mine, knock on wood)..

We need hay asap! We can take a trailor (flat bed, or 4 horse) and fill the truck and the trailor. Round bales, square bales. Orchard grass, alfalfa, great fescue.... I do need some alfalfa or orchard grass though (two prego mares)..

Contact me by email or by phone-- jazzylea2@aol.com or 276-650-3337 When are the next hay auctions? Where are they? Any info would be great!

Thanks guys!
Stephanie

[blaster]

check www.craigslist.org for washington dc. There were quite a few frederickburg, va dealers on there.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Sundown Farm,

The auction is in Hinton, VA. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Tom Weaver,
38 Whitmore Shop Rd, Harrisonburg 22802. Cell 540.435.0020. Bus. 540.867.0467. Fax. 540.867.0898.

Tom is REALLY REALLY nice. Go with a flatbed so they can load you. Here are the latest prices, http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/RH_GR310.txt .

You're in Axton...YIKES!!! You're 178 miles from the auction site. ONE WAY!!!!

[Fairview Horse Center]

So can you wander around and see the loads of hay before bidding on them? Who evaluates the quality?

[Oldenburg Mom]

So can you wander around and see the loads of hay before bidding on them? Who evaluates the quality?

Oh yes, and not only that, pull a hunk out and smell it!!!

Who evaluates? Well, I think most of the guys that are there are experienced. I mean, I could tell what hay I wanted to buy...of course I'm not experienced.

Put a bunch of hay together ... would you know what to buy????

[Fairview Horse Center]

Put a bunch of hay together ... would you know what to buy????

Absolutely for what I can see/smell/feel. The problem is that you are only looking at the outside of the bales, and the bales on the outside of a truck/wagon. I am not thinking they are going to let me cut one open. :( A large truck can be stacked too so that the nice, premium hay is visable, on the outside. The moldy bales deep in the middle of the truck. :winkgrin:

When they auction the hay, are they (Auction representative) saying this is "premium" alfalfa, etc? or is it the seller saying it is premium (or other grade)?

This time of year, probably not critical, but if you buy hay in the spring/summer/fall, it is worth having a moisture meter so you are not buying a load that will all mold within a week or so after you get it home.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Well, I'll say this. There was one load I wouldn't have touched. Everything else is really out in the open. Also, most of the stacking was clear so you could see each bale, and nothing was hidden. There was only one truck where you couldn't see inside ... and I wouldn't have bid on that.

I guess it's kind of ... you need to see what's going on and how it's set up. The ones I chose were clearly good quality, and the young man who sold them to me stood behind them 100% (e.g., call me if you have a problem with them.)

And actually, the auctioneer said something like ... "look at these round bales ... dry as they come!" and the guy who was selling them disagreed with him!!! "No Tom, they weren't ... etc." I'd say the group appears to be a fairly honest bunch. Or seemed to be.

Does that help?

[Fairview Horse Center]

Very much! Thanks. I just remember my old vet saying the hay auctions used to be like wolves leading a sheep to slaughter. ;) I may plan on meeting you there next time, and you can keep me out of trouble. :D

[Windswept Stable]

Hey guys.. I live very close to the hay auction -- would be glad to fix you a cup of tea--if you can stop by!

I have not bought at the auction in about 5 yrs now-- I never had good luck with it--I was throwing away as much hay as I was using. I am glad it sounds better now. I might go have a peek next time.

I have a regular hay guy-but he is almost out.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Hey Windswept! Great idea! I'll take a cup of tea ... I'd be delighted to have one!

Darlyn, I'll call you over the weekend and we can make plans.

I think with the auction you're going to get pretty much what you pay for. I mean, what I bought wasn't $5 a bale ... but it was sure better than $10. Plus, I paid the farmer that grew it...not some face-less co-op or feed corporation...KWIM?

Oh, and I almost forgot, Darlyn, Tom ... and others, are more than willing to give you a nudge for any hay sellers that might not be quite ... well, 100%. He wants me ... and other horse people ... to come back and buy.

[La Gringa]

Did they have any good alfalfa orchard mix?

[Fairview Horse Center]

Windswept, did you find a lot of moldy hay in the bales? or wasted hay due to quality range?

[Delighted]

Apparently, this is about 30 minutes away from my family's house in VA - I'm headed up there over spring break and could certainly use more hay. Is it a weekly thing? Not seasonal? And, if anyone wants to go near the end of March and talk me down as I freak out about buying hay at auction, that'd be great...

[Fairview Horse Center]

OK, here is a question, how big are large squares? Prices say bigger than round bales?!?!

[Fairview Horse Center]

I believe the auctions are March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16

[Delighted]

Oh cool - March 19 is during my spring break, when I'll be up there. Exxxcelent...

Thanks!

[Windswept Stable]

Windswept, did you find a lot of moldy hay in the bales? or wasted hay due to quality range?

Sorry--I did not see this--
It has been at least 5 yrs since I got hay from there. Yes- it was moldy... probably every 3rd or 4th bale would have mold. It got to be to expensive when wasting so much of it... and also too dangerous. Especially with others doing the feeding from time to time.

I can not speak of the hay now-- I have passed it on my way to get shavings-- and some of the hay looks nice from the road. Lots of big bales.

It's always confusing to me-- I am used to paying by the bale. Not by the ton or however they sell it. How DO they sell it now?

I hope to meet you guys there...and there is always the offer of tea.
When is everyone coming?

[Delighted]

Wait, they do shavings at the auction too? (swoon). I was debating just bringing the truck and begging to borrow my friend's flat bed trailer for the ride home, but maybe instead I'll bring up one of the horse trailers and load it up with hay and shavings... then I could breathe a little bit, at least, and not have to panic every week about where to get stuff from and how.

I'll be up that time in March - the 19th? Assuming there is one that day...

[Oldenburg Mom]

Delighted ... SHAVINGS! Do I have a deal for YOU!!! PM me ... I've got a source for great shavings, $3.60 a bag ... but I have to take a minimum of 180 bags ... which is a bit much for me. Wanna share? I've got one more person that will go in on them ... so that would mean 60 each.

[Windswept Stable]

The shavings that I am speaking about--are not at the auction--but about 1 mile down the little road 611 or 614--whatever it is... ...

The shavings are loose--not in bags. I find them much cheaper than bags. Ladybug who posts on COTH told me about them. I used to do bags but this method has saved me bundles. OF course it is more labor intensive as I have to go get them and then unload them. Take them into stalls by wheelbarrow. I have an extended bed pickup-- they sell them by the scoop--- I get a scoop and half...for $40. and it fills my pickup--mounded. They may be hard for you to transport any distance--you would have to really have a good cover tied down very good or you will loose them all on the way home.
Oldenburg's deal of 3.60 a bag sounds pretty good.. where is that at?

[Oldenburg Mom]

Oldenburg's deal of 3.60 a bag sounds pretty good.. where is that at?

Shhhhh. Don't tell. PM me. I'll explain.