Local Father and Son Open a Custom Haying Business

by Susan Weikel -- Steve Manskie (Buddy), the son, and Steve Manskie, the father, started a custom haying business, S & S Custom Haying, because of their frustration with the charges (around $1,000 a cutting) they were paying for work being done on their 7 acres fields. This grievance with pricing drove them to start looking at used equipment they could purchase to help eliminate some of the money that was being paid out. As they started buying equipment, people with small parcels of land started to notice and asked for  help with their fields. Buddy shared the story of an elderly lady that was paying over $740 a cutting on her 3-acre field that was producing around 60 bales each cutting, not even making a full lift of hay. “There has to be a better way to do this,” Buddy said. With those thoughts in mind and the advice of their accountant, they decided to give custom haying a shot.  “There are small farm hobbies where people can’t justify going out and buying equipment. So, being small farmers ourselves, it’s kinda helping each other,” Alex, Buddy’s wife, added in. The business started with a flat rate per acre charge and has had to increase that initial amount per acre as fuel costs, loading and unloading of equipment, and travel across the valley have increased their expenses. Coverage varies from Harmon area to Pioneer Road, Swingle Bench and Curry Road, Soda Lake Road to South Allen. As they move around the valley to different customers, the Manskies try not to take on too many of the bigger fields (over 40 acres) as that makes it even harder to schedule the small pieces. Though it’s only a two-person business with Alex helping out when her work allows, they have found that most of their customers have shown a much-appreciated understanding as to the conflicts that can arise with scheduling and breakdowns. Current costs are $60 per acre for cutting, raking, and baling up to 100 bales, then $1.00 per bale after the first 100 bales. If there is a need for a harrowbed, the rate is $.50 per bale with a $50 minimum. The team is constantly reevaluating their business.  Buddy added, “It’s constant learning. Something new is always popping up.” If there is a need for help with your small fields or a need for such things as that ‘old’ 2 wire bale, be sure to look into S & S Custom Haying.       Never miss a meeting or community event – keep an eye on the community calendar at https://www.thefallonpost.org/events/ If you like what we’re doing, please support our effort to provide local, independent news and contribute to The Fallon Post, your online news source for all things Fallon.