In depth look at hay and silage potential profits, again no equipment costs have been included so remember to take this in account when deciding your hay or silage farming strategy, also this is a first year costing, year on year costs will decrease as liming will not always be needed or less will be needed.
Based on no hired worker costs.
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COST ANALYSIS (Per Hectare)
1. Field Preparation Costs:
2. Planting Costs:
- Grass Seeding:
- Seed usage: 15 litres/hectare.
- Grass seed cost: £0.90/litre → £13.50.
- Diesel for seeding: £2.50.
- Total planting cost: £16.
3. Fertilisation Costs:
- Fertiliser (two applications for optimal yield):
- Fertiliser usage: 200 litres/hectare/application.
- Fertiliser cost: £600/1,000 litres → £240 for two applications.
- Diesel for spreading: £5.
- Total fertilisation cost: £245.
4. Harvesting Costs:
Mowing:
- Diesel usage: 10 litres/hectare.
- Diesel cost: £15.
- Maintenance: £5.
- Total mowing cost: £20.
Tedding (for Hay):
- Diesel usage: 5 litres/hectare.
- Diesel cost: £7.50.
- Maintenance: £2.50.
- Total tedding cost: £10.
Windrowing:
- Diesel usage: 5 litres/hectare.
- Diesel cost: £7.50.
- Maintenance: £2.50.
- Total windrowing cost: £10.
5. Baling Costs:
- Net Wrap or Twine:
- £5/bale (20 bales/hectare).
- Total: £100.
- Diesel for baling: 10 litres/hectare.
- Diesel cost: £15.
- Total baling cost: £115.
6. Wrapping Costs (For Silage Bales Only):
- Bale Wrap:
- £25/bale (20 bales/hectare).
- Total: £500.
- Diesel for wrapping: £5.
- Total wrapping cost: £505.
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TOTAL COSTS (Per Hectare)
For Hay Bales:
For Silage Bales:
- £1,286 per hectare (includes wrapping).
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PROFIT ANALYSIS (Per Hectare)
1. Revenue from Hay Bales:
2. Revenue from Silage Bales:
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CONCLUSION
- Hay Bales: Less profitable but cheaper and quicker to produce. Suitable for animal feed or intermediate players.
- Silage Bales: Far more profitable but requires additional steps (wrapping) and higher upfront costs, ideal for maximising income.
Tips for UK-based gameplay:
- Monitor market prices in the game for seasonal peaks to maximise profits.
- Invest in efficient machinery to reduce diesel consumption.
- Use silage additives for a 5% yield boost, potentially increasing profitability.
The tables give a clear snapshot of the costs and profits for making hay and silage bales in Farming Simulator 25. You’ll see that hay is cheaper and quicker to produce, making it great for beginners, while silage bales require more effort and cash upfront but offer much higher profits. It’s all about choosing what fits your farming goals!
