How do I find someone to cut and bale my hay in Texas?
Short answer: Ask local hay producers who lease land, hire a custom baler, or look for sellers near you on the Texas Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline. Your county AgriLife Extension office can also point you to people who work your area. Bale My Land matches Texas landowners with producers who work their county.
Two different arrangements
- Hay lease. A producer leases the land, does the work and keeps or sells the hay, paying you rent or a share.
- Custom baling. You own the hay and pay someone to cut, rake and bale it, usually per bale or per acre.
If you mainly want the land kept in ag use without paying for equipment, a lease is usually simpler.
Where to look
- TDA Hay Hotline: hay sellers listed by county. People selling hay near you often want more ground.
- Your county AgriLife Extension office: agents know local producers.
- Neighbors, feed stores and co-ops in your area.
- Bale My Land: tell us about your land and we introduce you to producers who work your county.
Before anyone cuts
- Agree in writing on who owns the hay, payment, timing, access and liability.
- Check your appraisal district's hay standards. See leasing land to a hay farmer.
Ready to put your land to work? Tell us about your land. Farm, ranch or keep bees? List free as a producer. Or browse the counties we serve.
Questions
What is the difference between custom baling and a hay lease?
With custom baling you pay someone to bale hay you own. With a hay lease, the producer does the work, keeps the hay and pays you.
Is there a free list of Texas hay producers?
The Texas Department of Agriculture runs the Hay Hotline, a free listing of hay for sale by county.
Get matched
Tell us about your land or your operation. We review every submission by hand and introduce landowners to producers who work their county and fit their acreage, access and the uses they're open to.
I own land I farm, ranch or keep bees
Producers list free. Landowners pay a placement fee based on acreage: $149 up to 20 acres, $249 for 21 to 100 acres, and $499 over 100 acres, the same for every use. A $49 deposit opens your placement, and the remainder is due only when you sign a lease.
Sources: Texas Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension county offices. General information, not tax or legal advice.
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