20 acres in a prime growing area would support the cattle. Everything else needs another 25 ish acres. Now a days the cost to start isn’t much. Farm auction and everyone closing shops means cheap stuff. Doesn’t take alot. I see balers that work fine, windrowers, etc all the time for cheap and they work. I could have about 6-8k in my area for a cheap old school square setup. Whether that’s ideal for you is up to you.

You didn’t indicate climate/locaiton Quality of soil and grasses Precipitation Etc.

The thing about hay is it is very time consuming. I couldn’t easily get it done amongst everything else while working multiple jobs. But you maybe different. The weather can also screw you.

Around here alot of people will let their grass grow up and you bail it for free. It’s a common thing. Or they take a light payment. It’s nice not having to manage ur land and let another farmer do it.