Since Grass grows pretty much all over the map and does not need to be resowed, Hay is essentially free. However, it can pay for itself very rapidly, as explained further down this article.

Although cheap equipment can be purchased for each of these tasks, it is still somewhat expensive to get into Hay. The minimum machinery required for this process is a small Tractor, a Mower, a Tedder, a Bale Trailer, and either a Front Loader or Bale Loader to pick the bales up from the field. ( Note again that Hay cannot be picked up in loose form - since that simply creates Grass). This should allow you to distinguish between them at a glance (although with Round Bales, that may be more difficult, especially at a distance, as the colors are harder to notice).

Hay Bales are green, as opposed to Straw Bales, which are yellow.

Pick up the Dried Grass using a Baler, to create either round bales or square bales or Hay.

(optional) Run a Windrower over the Dried Grass to arrange it into a single trail, making it easier for pickup.

Note: Although the description for tedders states that they 'decrease' the drying times of cut grass, grass will not dry of its own accord. This will instantly turn it into Dried Grass. This will leave one or more trails of Grass behind the mower, depending on the specific equipment used. You must follow the process below in order to create, dry, and collect Grass to make Hay: Hay is simply cut and dried grass, which has been picked up as Bales.

Farming simulator 14 loading hay bales