Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Primary outputs for this project relate to the estimation of factors important to standardbred horse stud fees, and, the economics and other aspects of rebaling hay. Hedonic estimates for standardbred horse stud fees showed that stud fees were significantly increased by the winnings per starter of the stallion's get, the number of get that were starters, whether the stallion was a trotter as opposed to a pacer, and being at stud in the Northeast region. Partial budget analysis was used to assess the feasibility of rebaling hay. Results were disseminated my various methods including presentations to agricultural groups, workshops, interviews, newspaper articles and web pages. PARTICIPANTS: James Leiby, Associate Professor School of Economics, University of Maine. Partner organzation inlcudes Simpco Inc. of Cochran, Georgia. Collaborators include Justin Jamison and Jake Dyer (former and current)farm managers of the Franlkin J. Witter Farm at the University of Maine. TARGET AUDIENCES: Equine industry and hay producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The results of the hay rebaling study enable growers to increase profitability of hay production in Maine. Further, the ability to re-make hay allows new opportunities for value added products. Since stud fees are generally established prior to the succeeding breeding season, it is difficult to adjust to market conditions. The stud fee analysis enables breeders to more accurately determine appropriate fees for their stallions. Since the dissemination of the rebaling information, the use of this technology has increased.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
The results of a pilot hay rebaling study have been presented in several public sessions, newspaper and magazine articles. The target audience has been commercial hay growers, particularly those in the equine market. Based on presentations of the result of the study, several large growers have adopted the rebaling practice. Because they are using several different tyupes of equipment rebaling costs vary from farm to farm. Several growers have made modifications to the equipment to better suit their needs. The only significant issue that has been reported is a substantial amount of waste chaff.
Impacts
Based on a successful pilot project at the University of Maine research farm, it was apparent that harvesting round hay bales and rebaling them into small square bales for the equine market was not only cost effective but potentially very profitable. Because of the lower harvest and handling costs of the round bales there is a significant price increase, on a weight basis, for the small square bales. The price differential was significantly greater than the additional cost of rebaling. There are several distinct types of equipment currently available for rebaling but costs for equipment other than that used at the University pilot project have not yet been determined. The chaff increases both material costs and operating costs since the rebaling process must be stopped to clean up the chaff. Several small-scale marketing projects are being considered for the chaff. There appears to be a market for small (2 pounds) poly bags of hay for the pet market. Further the chaff
could be enriched and bagged for the equine market in competition with prepared forage feeds.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Because of short drying times early in the Maine hay season, the ability to harvest quickly can substantially reduce costs and improve yields. Harvesting round bales enables a quicker harvest, but a growing portion of the Maine hay market is for horses, in 40-45# square bales harvest. Estimates of the benefits of rebaling, using a round bale unrolling device. Assuming an 800# round bale, $37.50/bale cost and $3.50 price of square bales, gains from rebaling were estimated as $114.09/hour, $15.21/round bale, $0.79/square bale. Even with high labor costs and cost of round bales, the break even price of square bales was less that $2/bale. Hedonic estimates for standardbred horse stud fees. Stud fees were significantly increased by the winnings per starter of the stallion's get, the number of get that were starters, whether the stallion was a trotter as opposed to a pacer, and being at stud in the Northeast region. The years that the stallion was at stud diminished the
stud fee. The most important variables were the winnings of the get, trotting stallion, and northeast location. Each starter of the get added about $5 to the stud fee, being a trotter adds about $1300 and being in the Northeast region adds almost $1400.
Impacts
The results of the hay rebaling study enable growers to increase profitability of hay production in Maine. Further, the ability to re-make hay allows new opportunities for value added products. Since stud fees are generally established prior to the succeeding breeding season, it is difficult to adjust to market conditions. The stud fee analysis enables breeders to more accurately determine appropriate fees for their stallions.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|