Grass and hay—the bread and butter of any farm in Farming Simulator 25 (well, technically, grass and hay, but you get the idea). Whether you’re a fresh-faced newbie or a seasoned virtual farmer, this guide will help you master grass work, haymaking, and everything in between. What’s more, this guide applies to all platforms, and we’re sticking to the base game—no mods, no stress!
Growing Grass & Hay Guide
Grass and hay are indispensable in Farming Simulator 25, whether you’re feeding livestock or selling for profit. This guide walks you through every step, from field preparation and planting to mowing and turning grass into high-quality hay!
Preparing the Field
Start by checking your field’s soil composition:
- Red Tints: Needs plowing.
- Blue-Green Zones: Add lime to boost growth.
- Fieldstones: Clear them with a stone picker to protect your equipment.
If you want less hassle, you can disable stones, lime, or plowing in the game settings, but where’s the challenge in that? After prepping the soil, use a plow, subsoiler, or cultivator to ready the land for planting. If you’re interested in learning more about field prep, make sure to check out my detailed guide about Field Preparation in Farming Simulator 25!
Good news: once grass is planted, it regrows automatically after each harvest, meaning field prep is a one-time deal unless you switch crops.
Planting & Caring for Grass
Buy grass seeds from the shop and load up your seeder. If your seeder supports fertilizer, add that too for a one-pass setup. Select the grass icon on your seeder, lower it, and let the planting magic begin.
Grass is low maintenance but benefits greatly from fertilization. Apply fertilizer after planting for a major yield boost. Some seeders fertilize as they go, so check your equipment specs to save time. If you want to learn more, here’s my detailed guide on how to fertilize in Farming Simulator 25!
Moreover, grass is hassle-free, making it ideal for beginners. Unlike other crops, grass fields don’t grow weeds, so skip the weeding entirely! To maximize yield, apply fertilizer once per harvest cycle.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can use a grass roller after harvesting to add a fertilization state without chemicals. Just a heads-up: rolling grass too early might block regrowth. Wait for at least one growth stage before rolling to avoid needing to replow and reseed.
Mowing Grass
Once your grass reaches the “Ready to Harvest” stage, it’s time to mow. Start with basic mowers for small fields, or upgrade to butterfly mowers for larger areas. Work methodically in rows to ensure you don’t miss any patches.
TIP: Mow as soon as grass is ready to harvest. Waiting for a second stage gives only a small yield boost, while mowing early allows up to four harvests per year.
Turning Grass into Hay
Hay is essential for feeding livestock or selling for profit. After mowing, follow these steps:
- Tedding: Use a tedder to fluff and spread grass for faster drying. Drying is weather-dependent, so avoid rain and keep an eye on forecasts.
- Windrowing: Once grass is dry, use a windrower to gather it into neat rows, making collection much easier.
- Baling (Optional): Compress hay into bales for easier storage or transport. Choose between round balers (requires unloading) or square balers (continuous operation).
Wrapping Up
Before I let you go, here are some bonus tips and tricks that you might find handy:
- Save on Fertilizer: Build a silo for solid fertilizer under the Containers tab. It stores fertilizer and lets you buy it cheaper (1,700 per 1,000L compared to 1,920 in the store).
- Weeder vs. Roller: Prefer efficiency? Use a weeder instead of a roller for fertilization—the wider working width saves time.
- Snow Hazards: Avoid mowing during snowy seasons. Melting snow can glitch the grass, moving or deleting it altogether.
Grass and hay are the backbone of any farm in Farming Simulator 25, offering simplicity and versatility for players of all skill levels. With proper prep, care, and harvesting, you’ll have a steady supply for your animals or a consistent cash flow.
