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Over a three-year average, alfalfa returns a profit of $98.82/acre compared to a $44.77/acre return for corn and $39.68/acre for soybeans, Miller estimated using information from Midwestern farms compiled through the FINBIN database.
How much is an acre of alfalfa worth?
In this example, the standing value for the entire alfalfa field could range from $230 to $360/acre for the entire growing season. Keep in mind ownership costs can run $300- 400/acre when the seller considers lost rent, establishment costs and top-dress fertilizer to maintain soil fertility.
Is growing alfalfa profitable?
Alfalfa is a major profit center on most dairy farms. Annual yield has the largest impact on its profitability because inputs, including harvesting costs, change little as yield increases.
Is alfalfa a good cash crop?
It’s a profitable crop these days, with prices for high quality hay frequently reaching $250/ton. But in addition to its over $1 billion value to the state of California, alfalfa provides a host of environmental benefits that are frequently overlooked.
How much profit does an acre of hay make?
“If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.” Brown says producers could decide to grow higher-quality hay and sell into the dairy or specialty hay markets.
How much alfalfa will 10 acres produce?
The average total yield is 20-35 tons per hectare (or 8-14 tons per acre) per year (distributed in 5-6 cuts). Top yields (intensive farming) can exceed 40 tons per hectare or 16 tons per acre per year. You can enrich this article by leaving a comment or photo of your alfalfa harvesting methods and yields.
How much money do alfalfa farmers make?
Over a three-year average, alfalfa returns a profit of $98.82/acre compared to a $44.77/acre return for corn and $39.68/acre for soybeans, Miller estimated using information from Midwestern farms compiled through the FINBIN database.
How many years will alfalfa grow?
Perenniality—The fact that the crop grows for 4-8 years, grows quickly with warm conditions in the spring is a major advantage of alfalfa—it can utilize residual winter rainfall before irrigation is necessary.
Is alfalfa more profitable than corn?
As you can see below, using USDA & extension averages along with current market data, alfalfa may be up to $100 more profitable per acre than corn and even more so when compared to soybeans. Enter your own yield and related expenses to help determine your profitability.
What is the most profitable crop per acre?
Bamboo is one of the most profitable crops to grow per acre. It can bring in lots of revenue, but the catch is it takes about three (3) years for the bamboo to get “established” once planted.
Why is alfalfa expensive?
Alfalfa hay, in particular, has become more expensive. Because of greater pressure for land use, the amount of land devoted to alfalfa has declined by nearly 4 million acres since 1995. Not surprisingly, as alfalfa supplies have become tighter, its cost has risen by nearly 50 percent in the last 20 years.
What do farmers do with alfalfa?
Because alfalfa can be used as feed in various fresh, dried, and preserved forms, it can be used both as a pasture or hay crop by dairy farmers and other livestock producers, and as a cash crop by farmers who do not raise livestock themselves.
How many acres of hay do you need to make a living?
Average yield of hay per acre is 2.44 tons. That means a cow/calf pair needs the production of 2.7 acres planted hay to eat for a year.
How many tons of hay can you get per acre?
The average U.S. dry hay yield (all types) dropped from 2.52 tons per acre in 2016 to 2.44 tons per acre in 2017.
How many large bales of hay can you get per acre?
With an average bale weight of around 40 pounds (with our Abbriata small square baler or any of our mini round balers), that’s 100 bales to the acre for a first cutting.
What is a good yield for alfalfa?
An alfalfa yield of 5 tons/acre can be typical in non-irrigated regions, while over 15 tons/acre can be obtained in irrigated regions.
How many pounds to the acre Do you seed alfalfa?
Seed alfalfa between 0.5 lb/acre and 1 lb/acre in 24 inch to 36 inch rows. It can be seeded alone or with a cover crop. Flax or cereal crops are recommended as cover crops. Seed alfalfa no deeper than ½ inch into a firm, fine seedbed.
Can you cut alfalfa the first year?
You can harvest seeding-year alfalfa as early as 40 days after seedlings emerge. However, after this early cutting the regrowth of seedling alfalfa will become more similar to established alfalfa, giving you the opportunity for two or three cuts the first year. And, it helps control many weeds as well.
Can you make money selling alfalfa?
Increased profits from alfalfa—Top dairymen know alfalfa is their most profitable crop. The high yield of high quality forage results in the greatest milk or meat production per acre of any forage. Alfalfa is cost competitive with corn silage on a dry mat- ter basis.
How much does alfalfa hay sell for?
At Conway Feed, alfalfa hay is available for $10-13.50 and Bermuda grass hay for $15. From the hay market, square bales, on average, will cost you between $3 and $10 per bale, but some farmers prefer selling their hay per pound, in which case such a bale will be around 50 pounds.
