For generations, the McGuigan family had worked the land near Spearfish, South Dakota. But when Curtis McGuigan decided to change the way his family produced hay, not everyone understood the decision.
At the time, many farmers in the area were focusing on larger hay bales. They were practical for big operations, easier to handle with machinery, and suited to large livestock businesses.
Curtis had been producing large square bales and shipping much of his hay to Texas.
But he began noticing an opportunity that others in his area were overlooking.
Horse owners and smaller hobby farms still needed something different: small square bales that could be transported, stored, and handled without expensive equipment.
It was a market worth paying attention to.
The McGuigan family had been farming near Spearfish for generations. Their farm was established in 1909, and Curtis was the fifth generation to work the family land.
He and his father, Mike, operated approximately 2,000 acres, with about half dedicated to hay production.
In 2016, Curtis made a significant investment. He purchased a Massey Ferguson 1840 small square baler and a Bale Baron bundler.
Instead of concentrating only on large bales, he began producing smaller 50- to 60-pound bales of alfalfa and packaging them in bundles of 21.
Initially, some of the hay was shipped to racehorse owners in Kentucky.
But something interesting began happening closer to home.
Local demand started growing.
Horse owners and hobby farmers increasingly wanted the smaller bundles. Many customers preferred buying one or two bundles at a time rather than purchasing enormous quantities of hay.
Curtis realized that the opportunity was not necessarily thousands of miles away. It was right there in his own community.
As demand increased, the family began selling most of its small-bale hay locally instead of shipping it across the country.
The decision made sense for another reason.
Many producers in the surrounding area concentrated on round bales, leaving a market for customers who needed smaller, easier-to-handle packages.
The family had found a niche by doing something different.
But producing small bales was not simply a matter of changing machines.
It required considerable work, careful timing, and attention to quality.
Curtis monitored moisture levels, tested hay samples, and adjusted his production practices to meet customer expectations.
The family also adapted its fields to better match what local buyers wanted, gradually introducing more timothy and orchardgrass into some of its existing alfalfa stands.
Storage was another important part of the operation. The family converted an old dairy barn into hay storage, giving them room for approximately 1,000 bundles.
And the business continued to develop.
The McGuigans also began offering farm experiences to help local residents understand agriculture. Visitors could take farm tours, see the equipment in action, and learn how hay is produced.
Their experience demonstrated something important about farming: success does not always come from following what everyone else is doing.
Sometimes, the opportunity is found by understanding what a smaller group of customers actually needs.
While many farmers were moving toward larger bales, the McGuigan family recognized the value of going in the opposite direction.
And that decision helped turn a different approach to hay production into a successful local business.
Their story is a reminder that innovation in agriculture does not always mean buying the biggest machine or producing the largest quantity.
Sometimes, it means noticing a need that others have overlooked — and having the courage to build a business around it.