What about hay?

According to the USDA there will be around 4% less hay land in the US this year. Hay prices are high and will probably stay that way for the long term. What can you do?

• Buy a lot - Go in with other horse owners and buy as much hay as you possibly can. Don't just look for other horse owners either. People who have sheep, goats, llamas or alpacas also need hay as do people with cows and people with rabbits. Co-ops work in many other areas so why not with hay.
• Buy now - buy hay when there's hay avalible. We just finished with first crop here in the upper mid-west. Second crop in coming in and barns are getting full. Hay prices at our local hay auction have tanked for the moment. If there's hay avalible in your area, buy it now. If we have a very dry July and August, or a very wet period the price of hay will only go up. Don't wait until the last minute
• Buy local - Transportation is adding up to big bucks. Buy hay as locally as possible
• Buy direct - Buy directly from the farmer. He may not deliver but he'll be much much cheaper than the local feed store or hay jockey and his product will likely be better. If necessary rent a U-Haul or something to haul your own.
• Know good hay when you see it. - You'll feed less of the good stuff. Find some lesser quality hay to use to fill your horse's tummy to keep warm this winter or to fight boredom.
• Use pasture wisely - learn about intensive grazing and portable electric fencing.
• Don't own more horses than you can care for, and for goodness sake don't make more!