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Monday, November 11, 2024

How much I ended up charging to plant a hayfield/pasture

This is what it cost to plant a 12 acre pasture. This does not include the price of glyphosate or application of aforementioned evil poison...

100lbs Fawn Fescue $175
100lbs Orchardgrass $275
100lbs Climax Timothy $155
Recharge seed inoculant $116
129 gallons 10-34 liquid fertilizer $496.65
No-Till planting for 12 acres which was two directions at $30 per acre $660
(or I could have charged 5.5 hrs @ $120/hr which actually came out to the same price)

Total price was $1877.65

I think that is a lot of money for a 12 acre pasture. But I am not really making a lot of money on the job. I ended up getting the seed and fertilizer and it took forever. Plus, I paid for it all.

I was hesitant about charging for the second pass but it took a lot of time to do the first pass at an angle in this field. Second pass in a circle took a little over an hour. But the price I charge for planting reflects a high maintenance and expensive grain drill, a 180hp tractor, diesel, tires, and since it is a 1980's White tractor-the hydraulic oil I leak per acre.

I really feel that the cost in seed and fertilizer is pretty telling in relation to farming today. I know I am selling a service but I would have worked the ground. That would have doubled or tripled the farming cost but there would be a much better seed bed and better weed control.

Seed and fertilizer was $100 per acre and I assume Glyphosate was another $35 per acre.

Not a lot of room for error anymore...

I think it if fails I will replant for free or a substantial discount. Sort of feel guilty about charging so much...




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