Alternative Opportunities: The Meadow Hay Market
With everything from unpredictable weather to fluctuating prices creating new challenges for farmers, many are looking for ways to bring in extra income around the farm.
One opportunity that’s often overlooked is growing specific crops and hay for alternative markets. In a previous blog, we covered energy crops. But there’s also a growing opportunity in the meadow hay market.
What is meadow hay?
Meadow hay is hay cut from a permanent pasture containing a mix of grass types, seed heads, herbs and wildflowers. This makes it a rich source of nutrition and fibre for animals like horses and rabbits, and a popular feed with hobbyists and small farms keeping these animals.
Meadow hay opportunities
There’s been a steady increase in the price of meadow hay for sale in recent years. AHDB hay and straw price data shows that for most of 2026, quality meadow hay has fetched around £200/tonne (ex-farm). That’s a substantial increase compared to closer to £100/tonne just two short years ago.
Baling hay for small pets and equines
There are specific considerations around growing hay for the small pet and equine market:
- Maturity affects nutritional value. So, hay for high performing horses typically needs to be cut early with a high “leaf-to-stem ratio”. This locks in better nutrition and energy, but it can create timing conflicts if you plan to apply for hay growing subsidies (see below).
- Hay must be carefully managed to prevent mould, reduce dust, and ensure no toxic plants (such as Ragwort, which is toxic even when dry) are included.
- Typically, when baling hay for these specialised markets, you’ll need to produce small, square bales; though some larger horse farms might prefer properly compacted round bales. Use high quality baling twine and bale netwrap to keep hay bales intact and make them easier to transport and handle.
Growing meadow hay for subsidies
The haymaking supplement offered through DEFRA is another option for making income from meadow hay. The supplement is offered as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and requires farmers to delay cutting and grazing to allow hay to flower and seed, helping to conserve plants and insects in traditional meadows.
- The supplement pays £157/ha per year (subject to base action CLIG3)
- You cannot cut or graze the sward for 8 continuous weeks before harvesting
As noted above, these requirements can create some timing tension with the ideal cutting window when producing hay for horses. But the meadow hay produced is still suitable for horses with lower energy requirements, many small pet animals, and for selling to other farmers to seed their own meadows.
Offer the best by using the best
The meadow hay market is growing and competitive. If you plan to diversify into feed for horses, rabbits and other pet animals, you can distinguish your hay crop by using hay baling products that are recyclable and keep your hay fresh, nutritious and top quality.
Need advice on how to bale your meadow hay crop? Reach out to us today. TAMA Assist is here to help.
