Hay Auction south of Lexington, KY

[tmo0hul]

I know some Ky people are looking for hay and I came across this hay auction that will run e/o weekend throughout the winter. I may go in 2 weeks to see what kind of quality is available.

http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/forage/documents/lincolnhaysales.pdf

[Holly Jeanne]

If you go, let me know. I'd be interested in coming along. :)

[caryledee]

Do you know if you have to buy a tractor trailer load? I've never been to a hay auction.

[Holly Jeanne]

I don't know for sure but I've been told you can buy any amount you want.

[tmo0hul]

I will be going on Saturday. Holly - I'd be happy to meet up with you somewhere or meet you there. We'll have a trailer with a hay tarp - so if anyone wants to buy hay we may be able to get it home for you.

I spoke with the manager of the auction and they sound like they know what they are doing - the hay is all tarped for transport in and there is an inside area to load/unload without getting everything wet. They have big bales (rounds and squares) of alfalfa, brome, bermuda, and prairie grass. Most times they have small squares - although 2 weeks ago I guess they did not have any of those.

[Holly Jeanne]

Do you know what time? I think I'm giong to be ok for the winter but wouldn't mind checking it out if I can get away. Would you be coming down 27? We could meet in Stanford.

[tmo0hul]

The auction starts at 1:00. Is 27 the main way to Stanford from Harrodsburg? I leave the driving to DH so I'm not sure about the roads, especially south of us.

[Holly Jeanne]

If coming from Harrodsburg, you'll be coming by way of 127 to 150. Could still meet in Stanford. I have to be in Danville by 5:00 (and cleaned up :lol:). There is a former Walmart in Stanford that is now a permanent flea market/antique store. It's on the right on the corner of 150 & 27. I'll pt you with phone number. :)

[tmo0hul]

We went to the hay auction yesterday - meeting up with Holly J along the way. It was great to meet you! It's the first time I've met a fellow COTHer. Hopefully we can meet up again to ride at some point.

As far as the auction - lots of big squares and rounds. There were 2 loads of big alfalfa squares from Oklahoma. One was 3rd cutting - 905# bales 21% protien, 165 RFV - got for $85/bale (~$187/ton). Other looked to be 1st cutting - 850# bales, 18% protien, 165 RFV - got for $82.50/bale (~$194/ton). There was a load of bermuda that went very cheap - maybe $45/bale? It looked fine - but I don't think the cattle guys knew what it was. I'm leery of bermuda and didn't bid on it. There was also a bunch of large brome bales. One load was very nice - $67/bale (750#) and one was just OK and went $65/bale. I got two bales of prairie grass for $65/each. Wasn't looking to pay that much for it since it is the first time I will try to feed it, but it had a reserve.

Local rounds stored outside were very pricey - $40-45 each. It would have been nice if stored inside, but it was pretty wet. There were 2 huge loads of local grown rounds that were stored inside. Lovely hay. Big bales - those were a deal at $50-$55/each.

Very few small squares - only one load of loffly timothy which we snatched up at a premium - still less than Lexington prices, though. Also bought straw for $3.75/bale. A premium I guess at this auction - but again, less than Lexington prices. The guy we bought the straw from (a Mennonite - as were most of the suppliers of the good local hay) commented that he had much better timothy and that we paid way too much for it. I asked if his was for sale - no, he said, he feeds it to his dry cows. :eek:

Overall a good experience. If looking for small squares - call the day of the auction and they can tell you how much they have for that day. Otherwise, it seemed like we got great deal on the alfalfa - especially if you can handle the big bales.

[caryledee]

Sounds like you got some decent hay! I really could use some good round bales but don't have any way to transport them. Do you know if they had any delivery available there?

[tmo0hul]

caryledee - You may be able to arrange shipping with the seller. One load (~36 bales) came in on a semi. There was a second smaller load from him that was on a flatbed being pulled by a pickup. The auctioneer mentioned that they would be willing to deliver - but that the buyer would have to work it our with the seller privately.