From Silo to Survival: Mastering Hay Farming in Stardew Valley
In the pixel-perfect countryside of Stardew Valley, running a thriving farm is more than just planting crops or petting cows. It's about foresight, resource management, and—perhaps most overlooked—keeping a steady supply of hay to keep your animals well-fed, happy, and productive.
If you’ve ever faced winter with an empty silo or watched your livestock sulk from neglect, you already know: hay is essential. This guide is your comprehensive walkthrough on how to get hay in Stardew Valley—faster, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before.
From building your first silo to creating a self-sustaining hay farm, this extended and detailed manual will equip you with everything you need to never run out of hay again.
Why Hay Matters in Stardew Valley
Before diving into the how, let’s break down the why.
Hay is critical for feeding animals—cows, goats, chickens, ducks, and more. When kept fed, your animals stay happy, continue producing valuable resources (milk, eggs, wool), and increase their friendship levels with you. Unfed animals, on the other hand, stop producing and become stressed.
If you're building a farm centered around animal products, your supply of hay becomes the lifeblood of your livestock operation.
First Things First — Build a Silo
The silo is the unsung hero of the Stardew farming empire. You can’t store hay without it, and you certainly can’t cut grass efficiently if you don’t have one built. So how do you get started?
Building a Silo: Materials and Process
To build a silo, visit Robin at the Carpenter’s Shop located north of Pelican Town, in the Mountains.
Silo Cost & Materials:
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100 Gold
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100 Stone
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10 Clay
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5 Copper Bars
Once you've gathered the materials, select “Construct Farm Buildings” from Robin's menu and place the silo anywhere on your farm layout.
🛈 Pro Tip: The silo doesn’t require much space, so tuck it away out of sight if aesthetics matter to you.
How a Silo Works
When you use a scythe to cut grass on your farm after the silo is built, hay is automatically stored in the silo, up to its 240-unit capacity. You don’t need to pick it up—it happens instantly as you cut.
Cutting Grass for Hay: The Right Way
Now that your silo is in place, it’s time to start collecting hay.
Using the Scythe (Not the Sword!)
Only a scythe (the basic farm tool) will convert grass into hay and store it in the silo. If you use a sword or any weapon from the mines, you’ll destroy the grass without gaining anything.
Finding Grass on Your Farm
Grass grows naturally throughout your farm, especially in untended areas. Look for tall, green tufts that sway in the wind—these are what you want.
As you mow down grass, hay will be generated and stored automatically. Each swing of the scythe has a chance to produce 1 or 2 pieces of hay, depending on the density and randomness of the spread.
🛈 Don’t cut all of it! Always leave some grass behind to allow it to regrow over time.
Grass Starters — Your Secret Weapon for Sustainable Hay
What if your farm is barren or overgrazed? That’s where grass starters come in.
How to Get Grass Starters
You can purchase grass starters from Pierre’s General Store for 100g each. They’re found mid-way down the shop’s inventory screen.
🛈 Grass Starter Tip: Wait for rainy days to plant them—it saves you time and encourages faster spread.
How to Use Grass Starters for Maximum Yield
Plant them in open areas on your farm, spaced out to allow natural spread. Grass will grow outward from the planted tile over the next several days.
Don’t cut the grass right away. Let it spread widely, forming dense patches. Once it’s spread sufficiently (think: a small field), you can begin cutting sections for hay. Then, let it regrow and repeat.
Designate a Hay Zone
Many veteran players designate a permanent grass field—an area never used for crops or buildings. This becomes your hay source. Fence it off if needed to keep animals from eating it prematurely.
Managing Your Hay Reserves
Keeping your hay supply strong isn’t just about cutting and collecting—it’s also about smart storage and rationing.
Checking Silo Capacity
You can view how much hay you have in storage by:
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Clicking on the silo directly on your farm, or
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Hovering over the hay hopper inside your barn or coop.
Max capacity for one silo is 240 pieces of hay. Build more silos if you need more storage.
Withdrawing Hay
Inside your barn or coop, use the hay hopper to withdraw hay. Animals will automatically eat from the troughs if hay is available and you’ve placed it.
🛈 Important: On rainy days or during winter, animals will not graze outside, so make sure your hay supply is stocked.
Emergency Hay — Buying from Marnie
Sometimes, you’ll miscalculate. Maybe grass didn’t grow fast enough. Maybe you overharvested. Or maybe it’s winter and you forgot to prepare.
In that case, Marnie’s Ranch becomes your emergency backup.
Buying Hay From Marnie
Visit Marnie’s shop (south of your farm) and purchase hay for 50 gold per piece.
Yes, it’s expensive. And yes, it hurts. But in a pinch, it’s your only option to prevent animal unhappiness.
🛈 You can also sell hay back to her—but we highly recommend keeping it for yourself unless you're swimming in surplus.
Advanced Tips for Hay Efficiency
Let’s elevate your hay game with some advanced strategies:
Build Multiple Silos Early
Don’t wait. One silo fills up quickly. If you're serious about animal husbandry, build 2–4 silos to prepare for winter and support a large barnyard.
Fence Animals Away from Your Hay Fields
Animals graze automatically during spring, summer, and fall. That’s great, but they’ll decimate your grass if allowed into your hay-designated areas. Fence them out or restrict where they roam.
Cut Grass Before Winter Hits
Once winter arrives, grass stops growing. Stockpile hay during fall by harvesting as much grass as possible before the first snow falls.
Use the Golden Scythe
Found in the Quarry Mine, the Golden Scythe increases the chance of producing hay per swing. It’s a simple upgrade that dramatically boosts yield.
Automation Mods (Optional, for PC Players)
If you're on PC and using mods, there are several that automate hay collection or improve grass regrowth.
Some helpful mods:
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Better Hay Management
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Auto-Grabber Plus (with hay features)
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Smart Farming
🛈 Use responsibly—they can make the game easier, but also remove some challenge and charm.
Final Thoughts — Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Hay may not be glamorous in Stardew Valley, but it's as crucial as any rare crop or artisan good. Without it, your animals suffer—and with it, they thrive.
This guide aimed to take you from novice to master, showing you how to build, grow, harvest, and store hay like a true Stardew expert. Whether you’re in spring preparing for a fruitful year, or it’s fall and winter looms, this strategy ensures you’ll never scramble for animal feed again.
Stay consistent, be smart with your grass usage, and always plan for the off-season.
✅ Key Takeaways for Hay Farming in Stardew Valley
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Build your first silo as early as possible.
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Use the scythe only to harvest grass for hay.
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Buy and plant grass starters to regenerate fields.
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Create a dedicated grass patch for sustainable harvesting.
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Check silo capacity and stockpile before winter.
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Buy hay from Marnie only in emergencies.
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Expand silo storage as your farm and animal count grow.
✅ Conclusion: Your Hay Strategy, Mastered
Hay might seem like a small piece of the Stardew Valley puzzle, but it's the foundation for a healthy, thriving livestock operation. Whether you're raising a handful of chickens or managing a full-scale dairy empire, your hay strategy is the silent partner that keeps things running smoothly.
Start with a well-placed silo, create a dedicated grass field, and plan your harvests around the seasons. Let your grass spread before you cut, build extra silos before winter sneaks in, and only buy hay as a last resort. Every smart decision you make today ensures your animals stay happy, healthy, and productive tomorrow.
By mastering hay collection, you not only secure your animals’ well-being—you unlock the full potential of your farm. So, make hay while the sun shines... and while the grass grows.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I get hay in Stardew Valley without a silo?
You can only collect hay by cutting grass with a scythe after building a silo. Without a silo, the grass will simply disappear without producing hay.
Can I buy hay in Stardew Valley?
Yes, you can purchase hay from Marnie’s Ranch for 50g per piece. This should only be used in emergencies, as cutting grass is far more efficient.
Where is hay stored after I collect it?
Hay automatically goes into your silo. You can access it from the hay hopper inside a barn or coop, or by checking the silo directly.
How do I feed my animals with hay?
Use the hay hopper to distribute hay into the feeding troughs inside animal buildings. Animals will eat it automatically if food is placed.
How many silos do I need?
One silo holds 240 pieces of hay. For larger farms with many animals, building 2–4 silos is recommended to ensure you’re stocked through winter.
Can grass grow in winter in Stardew Valley?
No. Grass will not grow at all during winter, and you cannot plant grass starters. That’s why stocking up in fall is crucial.
What is the Golden Scythe, and is it worth it?
The Golden Scythe is found in the Quarry Mine and offers a higher yield when cutting grass. It’s highly recommended for any serious hay farmer.
Can I sell hay in Stardew Valley?
Yes, you can sell hay to Marnie—but unless you're swimming in extra, it's more strategic to keep it for animal feed.
What happens if I run out of hay in winter?
Animals will become upset, stop producing goods, and lose friendship levels. Either buy hay from Marnie or restart the day to avoid consequences.
Do animals eat grass when outside, and does that save hay?
Yes! On sunny days in spring, summer, and fall, animals graze on grass if allowed outside, which helps conserve hay.
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