EQUIPMENT

Farming—even something as “simple” as forage crops—often requires a sizeable investment in equipment, although costs can sometimes be kept lower by utilizing used equipment or by sharing tractors and implements with neighboring farmers. Some of the equipment you might need to grow your own hay includes:

TRACTOR: Probably 40 HP or more for baling hay; lighter tractors may be able to perform some of the other tasks

BRUSH HOG: For reclaiming older hayfields that are heavily weeded

DISC: Not required if you’re going with a no-till process (meaning you don’t disturb the soil through mechanical agitation)

SEEDER: For planting large areas of hayseed quickly and easily

MOWER-CONDITIONER: Cuts hay for harvesting and also crimps it during the process for faster drying times

TEDDER: Useful in moist regions for fluffing cut hay to improve drying; may be optional in drier locales

HAY RAKE: For turning over hay for drying and for creating windrows

BALER: Small square balers are a popular option for creating horse hay; larger operations may consider large square balers. Round bales are also favored by some horse owners and situations.

HAY WAGON: For loading and transporting small squares to the storage building

SKIDSTEER/TRACTOR WITH FORK LOADER: For moving large squares or round bales