Manon Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 We needed to have our meadow cut and a local farmer has cut it for us and will take the hay for his animals. We are intending to pay him 100euros for doing it. Are we creating any problems for ourselves by doing this and if we get him to do it every year on the same basis do we give him any rights ? Any advice gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Beware, we have been told that no money should exchange hands. The hay the farmer takes is considered quid pro quo for cutting the hay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Yup, I agree with WJT - the quid pro quo is free hay for the work (I'd only give half the hay but if you have no need for it and can't sell it then fine.) A round bale costs me 50€ a pop so it's valuable stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Hi, just wondered why you are going to pay him? We have one small field cut and the usual agreement is half each, he gets cheap hay and I have a small amount of hay. your farmer will more than likely buy the rest off you anyway as hay is expensive this year in some areas. I buy round bales at 35 euros but prices vary in each area, you can buy straight from the field at around 21 euros to give you a rough idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Take care not to let him make a habit of it, either, or he could claim the right - I believe, but you'd have to check - to do this year after year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 When we looked into it we were told as long as no money exchanges hands there wouldn't be a problem, so we have had the same farmer take the hay for years now. Having said that, from what I understand, allowing a farmer to plant crops or put animals on the field is a totally different matter and could potentially easily allow the farmer to gain rights to your land but just taking hay is a different matter. It may be worth looking into though because it has been a few years ago when we received this information and perhaps each dept has different rules. We are located in Dordogne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osie Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We have been told all sorts from old and young alike.I looked into this same topic and I think the conclusion was not to get into a situation that could cause problems. It seems that court proceeding happen alot to the French. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manon Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 I sort of understood that if we paid him - either in hay or cash or a mixture- then it became a matter of us simply buying a service from him rather than him receiving a benefit from our land i.e.grazing or similar , in which latter case if he paid us then he got rights ? It is so complicated but we do need our field cut - he got 12 round bales of varying quality hay. Thanks for all the replies so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loirette Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 We have a field that the we allow the farmer to cut for hay. We have asked him to check with us each year before he cuts that this is still ok. We do not take any payment and he keeps the hay. We understand that this is the safest way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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