How to get hay Stardew Valley?

Learning how to get hay in Stardew Valley is essential for keeping your farm animals healthy and happy throughout all seasons. Hay serves as the primary food source for your livestock during winter and rainy days when they can't graze outside.

Primary Methods to Obtain Hay

Using a Scythe on Grass

The most common way to collect hay is by using a scythe to cut grass on your farm or around Pelican Town. Each patch of grass has a 50% chance of dropping hay when cut with a scythe. This percentage increases to 75% with the Golden Scythe, which you can obtain by reaching the bottom of the mines.

Purchasing from Marnie's Ranch

You can buy hay directly from Marnie's Ranch for 50g per piece. This method is reliable but can become expensive if you have many animals. Marnie's shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except on Mondays when she's closed.

Wheat Farming Strategy

Planting wheat in fall provides an excellent hay source. When you harvest mature wheat with a scythe, each plant yields one wheat plus has a chance to drop hay. This dual-purpose crop maximizes your efficiency.

Storage and Management Tips

Silo Construction

Build silos before collecting hay, as they automatically store hay when you cut grass. Each silo holds 240 pieces of hay. Without a silo, cut grass simply disappears instead of being collected.

Seasonal Planning

Stock up on hay during spring and summer when grass grows abundantly. Plan for approximately 28 pieces of hay per animal for the entire winter season, though animals will eat grass outside on sunny winter days.

Advanced Tip

The Grass Starter recipe (purchased from Pierre for 1,000g) allows you to cultivate grass patches strategically around your farm for sustainable hay production.

Mastering hay collection ensures your animals stay fed year-round, maintaining their happiness and productivity. Consider exploring different farm layouts and seasonal strategies to optimize your hay production system.