My partner and I own 25 acres of well established coastal in Van Zandt county Texas (far enough east to have sandy loam on the surface and slightly acid soil). Fortunately the property is located on a good sized lake (approx 400 acres). My partner thinks that we need to buy irrigation equipment, a square baler and go for the horse hay market in Dallas. I am less convinced that the return on that small a property will make the investment worthwhile. Unless the drought continues for a couple more years the break even point on the equipment purchase looks to me to be too far down the road to make the risk worth taking....but then I am a glass half empty sort anyway.

My question: Are any of you irrigating and fertilizing extensively to produce the highest quality hay you can on a small acreage? If so is the expense worth it? Advice on what to do/not to do as we are new to this. Thanks in advance for your constructive input. I am new to this and readily confess my ignorance.

Dear Mr.Yates;
I irrigate 46 acres of Tifto 85/ costal. I sprigged the Tifton,which is an additional cost you would not incur.I'm sure you anticipate costs of fuel for the pump[ eletric,diesel or natural gas] what is the maximum amount of water would you ever forsee needing to irrigate,[one inch a week or more]do you have that much water in the lake.What are your costs per inch of water irrigated.In a year of your dreams where everything went great what is the most hay you could produce. Cost of fertilizer? Are you doing the work yourself.Hired labor is expensive if you can find it.The best pay out for me was to sell my hay in someone elses cows. By the head or by the pound gain. Never found that person that needed the grass. Could you take the same moneys needed the go into this venture, make more in a c.d.or money market and avoid the hassle? Not trying to be negative just practical. Please let me know what you decide and if I can help.

Will this irrigation system work for you? It is much cheaper than the traditional round wheel irrigation systems.

http://www.k-linena.com/

We have devised an efficient and practical system which is the cheapest and not a rocket science. It uses the less water and help in recycling our garbage.

Please read pages "Grow Trees" and "Bottle Irrigation"

Have a look at http://k.kaiserbutt.googlepages.com