What would you do? In Wisconsin we have 340 acre farm. Its mainly a hobby farm with over a hundred minature horses. We let our Neighbor farm the land for free as long as he gives us the first cutting of hay. This year he put 80 acres in corn and about 30 in hay. The problem is my neighbor is a die hard bowhunter. He has been in North American Whitetail a couple of times and is addicted to antlers.

Last year he only got one cutting of hay off our land and let it get about waste high. And so far he is on the same tract this year. Yeah granted he puts in an 80 acre food plot for us but I like to bowhunt the hay fields early in the season. And they are crap when its waste high. I don't want to think that he is trying to sabotage the land but when he takes the corn off he tills the crop under. Deer hate that. I have a friend that farms near by and is always asking to farm the land but we want to stay loyal to our neighbor. Plus he is the size of Brock lesner and don't want to **** him off. Stick with him or change.

Theirs only one thing you need to know,put everything else aside,It's your land you do what you want with it.If it's time to give him the boot then so be it,just do it in a way you dont burn any bridges.But first i would let him know how you want your land farmed,after all he's gettin something out of it too.If he refuses to budge then tell him it's time to part way's,but in a civil way.
Theirs no reason why you shouldnt benifit from your land,and have it farmed the way you want.My 2 cents.........

That's an easy one for me.

Do you allow him to hunt your farm? If not, how big of a farm does he own and does he have crops on his farm? Maybe he is farming in a way that pushes the deer from your property to his. Or maybe the guy is busting his butt working in this poor economy and is just slacking on cutting your hay fields the way you like. I would say ask the guy what is going on with your hayfields and also mention that you really appreciate all of his help over the years. That should get a stress free, honest response.

No we don't allow him to hunt our land. He has prime whitetail property about 800 acres of it. Its just one big food plot with maybe 40 acres of woods. And ours is totally opposite, ours is all woods with little fields. Our one field sits in the middle of 180 acres. Which is all corn this year and then our hay fields are divided by a county road and a 1500 acre marsh. I was going to say something to him when I seen him jet skiing but I don't like to bring up work when people are playing. I told him in the past if Im not working I would help him out with the hay, I have helped him in the past when I was in highschool but it wasn't our property he was farming. I think I'll leave it alone this year but next year around Feb when he is shed hunting Ill bring it up.

when you think the time is right,talk to the man.calmly.things don't get fixed unless you talk them out.then if he has a problem,oh well,its your land hes farming.

Maybe he doesn't know what you expect from him. If he was told to do the hay, thats just what he's doing. Communication is the key, he's no mind reader and is only doing whats asked and probably making for some great bird hunting too.

Sit him down and look him in the eyes and tell him what your thinking,,,he will know that your serious and his gig is in jeopardy. This will motivate him to help you out!

Where in WI are you again? 110 aces and you can't find someone to rent it? Also not to mention the 80 acres of food plot. Why such a big food plot. Thats 290 acres of field not including the 100 horse horse pen that I'm asuming has a big pasture for them? How much woods do you have doesn't seem like a ton? Sounds like you aren't getting a heck of alot out of your 300 acresI'm sure you could find a farmer to pay for those acres and still get a first cutting of hay off it. Find a farmer to put in a rotation of about 30 acres beans, 30 arces corn, and 40 acres hay. Then take the 80 acre food plot and leave it or put in a 20 acres beans 20 acres corn and the rest food plot and you'll have a deer haven. Just request that you first cutting of hay and that they leave the plowing until spring. I'm sure you could find a farmer to do something like that still get 30-60 dollars an acre for the beans and corn. Would pay some bills and taxes and you'd be getting alot more out of your land..... Like said its your land and you can do what you want with it. If the other guy doesnt want to follow the plan then find someone who will. I gaurantee there would atleast be a farmer who would follow your plan for a first cutting of hay but you can do much better than that. The guy is making good money off your land right now with 80 acres corn with the corn prices right now and not renting and low cost of bailing you 30 acres of hay once. You'll figure it out. Good luck. WCL

Right he may just not know but it is hay. If the guy knows anythgin about producing a lil bit of hay he must know he needs to cut it regular to produce any kind of hay that animals will eat most of. Also leaving waste high hay over winter doesn't make for the best growing conditions for spring hay. About 6-15 inches over winter is good for the fields and deer to eat over winter. Waste high hay field sounds like it is turning into a weed field instead of a good hay field. WCL