Wisconsin Ag Connection - New UW-Extension App Helps Farmers Figure Out Hay Prices

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New UW-Extension App Helps Farmers Figure Out Hay Prices
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/20/2015

Wisconsin farmers now have access to a new smartphone app designed to help determine the value of quality hay. The program is the second mobile app developed by Waupaca County Agriculture Agent Greg Blonde, with help from Smart mAPPS Consulting. He says users can also enter projected hay yield, cutting schedule and harvest costs to calculate a standing value per acre.

"It's that time of the year when fresh mowed hay fills the air across Wisconsin, which also means many farmers and rural neighbors will be negotiating the sale of standing hay," Blonde said. "An estimated 2.5 million acres of dry hay and haylage are harvested each year in this state with baled hay alone accounting for $80-$100 million in market sale."

The app is free and available for Android smart phones and tablets on the Google Play store by searching for 'Hay Pricing' or go to: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartmappsconsulting.haypricing

Blonde says that since there are no established commodity markets for hay like there is for corn or soybeans, finding reliable hay market information can be a challenge.

"This new mobile tool helps farmers and rural landowners access the latest hay market information on the go, plus gives them a simple tool to help estimate field value when considering buying or selling standing hay," he notes.

Last fall, Blonde helped develop a free app for pricing wet corn to help buyers and sellers better manage the immature corn crop.

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