Stardew Valley, the beloved farming simulation game, places great importance on properly caring for and feeding your farm animals. Hay availability is central to this, a vital resource to sustain your livestock.
In this guide, we will explore the various sources of Hay and provide strategies for efficiently obtaining and managing it.
Harvesting Hay in Stardew Valley
Hay can be obtained from two primary sources: grass and wheat.
Obtaining Hay from Grass
Using a Scythe or Golden Scythe
Clearing grass tiles with these tools yields hay. Grass can be cleared with other tools but will not yield Hay.
- Chance of producing Hay from Grass: The chance of obtaining Hay from grass varies depending on the tool used, with a higher probability when using a Golden Scythe. The Scythe has a 50% chance of producing hay, while the Golden Scythe increases the probability of obtaining hay to 75%.
- Silo requirement for harvesting Hay from Grass: An unfilled silo must be present on the farm to collect hay from grass. Hay will not be yielded from grass if Silos in your farm are full. If there is no Silo, the Hay will be in the player’s inventory.
Harvesting Hay from Wheat
Using a Scythe or Golden Scythe
Clearing grass tiles with these tools yields hay. Grass can be cleared with other tools but will not yield Hay.
- Chance of obtaining Hay from harvested Wheat: When harvesting wheat, there is a 40% chance that each harvested grain will yield Hay using either scythe.
- The difference in storage destination for Wheat Hay: Unlike Hay from grass, Hay obtained from Wheat is added directly to the player's inventory or Junimo Hut storage, bypassing the silo.
Obtaining Hay Through Other Methods
- Hay from cutting weeds with the Haymaker enchantment inside the farm: Weeds can occasionally yield hay when cut with a weapon with the Haymaker Enchantment. The percentage is 33%, and the Hay goes directly to the Silo.
- Hay from cutting weeds with the Haymaker enchantment outside the farm: Like the previous method, cutting weeds outside the farm can also result in acquiring Hay, but it is stored in the player’s inventory.
- Hay for purchase: You can get Hay by purchasing at Marnie’s Ranch for 50g each or at the Desert Trader, who trades 3 Hay for 1 Omni Geode at The Calico Desert.
4. Hay as a gift from Marnie: Marnie, the local rancher, may occasionally send the player a generous gift of 30 hay through the mail.
Storage and Usage of Hay in Stardew Valley
Silo Capacity and Withdrawal Through Hoppers
In the gameplay of Stardew valley, Silos serve as storage for Hay, with each silo capable of holding up to 240 pieces. The Hoppers found in Coops, and Barns can dispense Hay according to the number of animals in the building.
Feeding animals with Hay
- Placing Hay on the feeding bench: Animals consume one unit of Hay daily when no fresh grass is available outside. Placing Hay on the feeding bench ensures they have access to food if the barn or coop does not have an automated feeding system yet.
- Role of Hoppers in facilitating Hay distribution: Hoppers allow the automated distribution of Hay from silos in Deluxe Barns and Coops to the feeding benches, ensuring animals are fed.
- Implications of running out of Hay during winter: With no grass available during winter, it is crucial to stockpile enough Hay or find alternative feeding methods to sustain your animals.
- Gifting Hay to Other Villagers: Hay can be given as a gift to villagers, although it is generally not well-received by all townsfolk, considering it’s a Hated gift.
- Hay's role in Quests and Bundles: Hay does not appear in any quests, but 10x Hay is required to complete the Fodder Bundle at the Community Center Bulletin Board.
- Hay in tailoring and dyeing: Hay can be used in tailoring to create the Grass Skirt through 1x Hay and 1x Cloth. It’s also used as a yellow dye in dye pots.
Strategies for Obtaining Hay in Stardew Valley
Building a Silo as a Primary Method
- Construction process and requirements: Using specified resources which are 100x Stone, 10x Clay, 5x Copper Bar, and 100g, visit Robin's shop to construct a silo in a 3x3 tile on your farm.
- Harvesting grass and turning it into Hay: Once a silo is built, use a scythe to gather grass and transform it into Hay for instant storage in the Silo.
Harvesting Grass or Wheat on the Farm
- Planting Grass Starter and letting it grow: Purchase Grass Starter from Pierre's shop, plant it on your farm, and allow it to increase. Harvest the mature grass to obtain Hay.
- Harvesting Wheat for Hay: Cultivate Wheat on your farm, and when ready for harvest, gather the wheat and obtain Hay as a byproduct.
Conclusion
In Stardew Valley, hay availability is essential for your farm animals’ well-being. By understanding sources and implementing effective strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of hay to support your growing farm.
Whether harvesting grass or growing wheat, a well-stocked store of hay will contribute to a successful gameplay [1].
