Turning Paddocks into Profit
When South Australian small-scale farmer Rory Watson couldn’t find reliable hay contractors for his property, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Like many small acreage owners, Rory faced a familiar challenge — large hay contractors often prioritise the big jobs, leaving smaller properties waiting weeks or even missing the season altogether.
So in September 2024, Rory invested in the Aus Agro Hay Maker Package — a compact, all-in-one system designed to help small farmers manage their own hay with ease.
Within months, that decision transformed his paddocks into a profitable side business.
The Challenge Facing Small Farmers
For many small-to-medium farms, getting hay baled on time can be difficult. Contractors often book out early and focus on large commercial paddocks where they can cover hundreds of acres per day.
Meanwhile, smaller blocks with 5–20 acres of hay are pushed down the queue — or charged higher rates for smaller runs.
At the same time, demand for small, manageable hay bales has exploded across Australia. Horse owners, hobby farmers, acreage owners, and homesteaders are all seeking mini round bales that are easy to handle, store, and feed out — and they’re willing to pay a premium for them.
This gap in the market created a major opportunity for small farmers like Rory to step in.
The Solution: Aus Agro Hay Maker Package
In September 2024, Rory purchased the Hay Maker Package for $16,999 + freight.
Compact, simple, and affordable — the entire system is designed for tractors as small as 18–35 HP, making it ideal for lifestyle blocks and small mixed farms.
“I wanted a setup that I could manage myself. The Aus Agro package gave me everything I needed to start baling straight away — and it’s paid for itself already.”
— Rory Watson, South Australia
The Results
In his very first season, Rory baled over 900 mini round oaten hay bales — selling them locally for:
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$20 per bale (dry oaten hay)
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$30 per bale (silage-wrapped)
That’s more than $27,000 in gross revenue, all from his own paddocks and neighbouring properties.
ROI Snapshot
| Investment | $16,999 + freight |
| Bales Produced | 900+ |
| Revenue | $27,000+ |
| Payback Period | Less than 1 season |
| Ongoing Income | $15,000–$30,000+ annually possible |
With a single season’s work, Rory completely covered his equipment costs — and now continues to generate income every year as a local hay contractor.
The Market Opportunity
The market for small hay bales is booming:
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🐴 Horse owners prefer compact bales that can be lifted and fed easily.
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🌾 Acreage and lifestyle farmers often only need small quantities of hay, not full semi loads.
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🏡 Homesteaders and small producers value the convenience of manageable bale sizes.
Many regions are now facing contractor shortages, with larger operators focused on industrial farms. For small operators, this has opened the door to a profitable, community-based niche — and it’s one that’s growing fast.
Even a few paddocks can become a strong seasonal income stream.
Rent-to-Own: A Smart Way to Get Started
Want to follow in Rory’s footsteps without a large upfront investment?
You can start your own hay contracting journey with Aus Agro’s Rent-to-Own Program — from just $297 per month.
Benefits of Rent-to-Own
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Low/No upfront cost
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Own the machines as you earn from it
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100% tax-deductible interest
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Flexible upgrade paths
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Ongoing support and training
You’ll also gain access to the Aus Agro Contractor Pathway, where we help new operators build their own hay contracting business, find clients, and operate confidently in their local area.
Try the ROI Calculator
On the Rent-to-Own page, you’ll find our interactive ROI Calculator.
Plug in your own figures — estimated bales, and local selling prices — to instantly see how much you could earn in your first season.
Example:
500 bales × $25 average sale price = $12,500 revenue
Rent-to-Own payments ≈ $5,099 annually
Profit potential = $7,401+ in year one
It’s a simple, transparent way to plan your investment and understand your earning potential before you even start.
Becoming an Aus Agro Approved Contractor
When you join Aus Agro as a Rent-to-Own customer, you’re not alone.
We help you every step of the way through our Approved Contractor Program, which includes:
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Guidance on setup and operation
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Access to marketing support and templates
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Local area promotion and referral opportunities
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Ongoing technical support and spare parts network
We want every Aus Agro customer to not only use their equipment — but to grow with it.
Seasonal Timeline
Rory’s first season ran from October through January — roughly four months of baling and wrapping.
Most of his revenue came from just a few key weeks of work during the peak cutting window, showing how effective small-scale hay production can be with the right setup and timing.
Ready to Start Your Own Hay Journey?
Rory’s story proves you don’t need a massive farm or expensive machinery to make money from hay.
With the right tools, support, and community, any small farm can become a compact contracting business and generate real seasonal income.
👉 Learn More About Rent-to-Own
👉 Explore the Hay Maker Package