Hay and Bedding Yard with Storage Barn
Stock hay, shavings and straw in a barn or yard so local animal owners can buy or have it delivered.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A rented or owned barn or yard where you store hay by the tonne and bagged bedding, sell to walk-in customers and deliver bigger orders. Buying in bulk at harvest lets you supply through winter.
Your first three steps
- Find a barn, shed or yard to rent near horse and farm areas, and check zoning allows storage and customer visits
- Agree harvest-season supply with several growers and a bedding supplier
- Price a sample range and tell local stables, feed stores and online farm groups you are open
Who pays
Equestrian yards, boarding stables, farms, smallholders and pet or backyard livestock owners.
How it makes money
Margin on bales, bags and bulk loads, plus delivery charges and discounts for seasonal or contract orders.
Skills that help
- Hay grading and storage know-how
- Cash flow and stock planning
- Customer service and basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Fire risk: damp hay can heat up and combust, so check storage, ventilation and your insurance requirements
- Check municipal zoning and business licence rules for a commercial yard or farm-gate sales
- Buying stock at harvest ties up cash for months, so budget carefully
- Check provincial weed control rules and how GST/HST applies to feed and bedding
- Check workers' compensation (WCB/WSIB) rules before you hire help
- Seasonality and drought can affect supply and price
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a hay and bedding yard?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the barn or yard you rent or own and how much stock you buy at harvest. Treat this as an estimate and budget for cash tied up in stock.
How much can a hay and bedding yard earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on stock levels, season and customer numbers. Seasonality and drought can affect supply and price, so these figures are estimates only.
What rules and risks should I check for a hay yard?
Check fire risk, since damp hay can heat up and combust, along with storage, ventilation and insurance requirements. Also check municipal zoning and licence rules, provincial weed control rules, GST/HST on feed and bedding, and WCB/WSIB before hiring.
Other ways to run this business
Similar farming and garden ideas
Mobile milking equipment service and parts
Drive to dairy farms to install, service and repair milking systems, and supply the parts they need.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Pasture-raised beef or pork sold direct
Raise cattle or pigs on pasture and sell freezer boxes and cuts straight to local customers.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Farm and rural fencing contractor
Install livestock, paddock and boundary fencing for farms and acreages.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Rural mowing and brush cutting service
Mow pastures, ditches and fence lines, and clear brush for farms and rural landowners with a tractor and cutter.
- C$20k-60k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small breeding herd selling weaner pigs
Keep a few sows, breed them and sell young pigs to hobby farmers and small producers who raise their own.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small orchard selling at markets and a farm stand
Grow apples or pears on a few acres and sell direct at farmers' markets, a roadside stand and to local shops.
- C$15k-70k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Photo: bogitw on Pixabay