Article printed September 5, 2022. For the latest version, please go to: https://www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/2019/05/02/bale-weights/ Tags: hay and silagelivestock (wet weights/as fed weights) Source: Dairy Pasture
Consumption Calculator Hay Silage Tags: hay and silagelivestock The author is a beef cattle specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension based in Overton, Texas.  Knowing exact bale weights is advantageous when buying or selling hay and also when determining on-farm inventories. How many round bales of hay will your cows consume in a week? The answer will vary depending on the size and stage of production of your cows, the quality of the hay, and, most importantly, the weight of the bales. It is better to think in terms of how many pounds of hay the cows will consume instead of how many bales they will consume. Bale weight can vary tremendously. Bale weight affects not only the number of bales that should be fed but also the cost of feeding and transporting them. Round bales are described as bale width by bale diameter, or bale height. For example, a 5 x 6 bale would be 5 feet wide and 6 feet in diameter, and a 4 x 5 bale would be 4 feet wide and 5 feet in diameter. Density matters The table shows the effect that bale size has on weight by using a 5 × 5 bale that weighs 1,100 pounds for comparison. If all bales had the same density, those of varying sizes would range in weight from 563 to 1,584 pounds. In addition to size, bale density also has a major impact on bale weight. Density, as influenced by tightness of wrap or bale compression, can vary considerably depending on operator preference and the equipment being used. Most balers have a range of settings that allow the operator to increase or reduce wrap tightness and bale compression. Also, some balers can compress more tightly than can standard equipment; these types of balers are generally used for baling low-density forages like wheat straw. Whenever possible, hay should be bought and sold by the ton instead of the bale. The importance of pricing hay by the ton is illustrated in the table. The fifth column shows what the price per ton would be, if all bales — regardless of weight — were priced at $45 each. The 1,100-pound bales would cost $81.82 per ton ($45 divided by 1,100 pounds equals $0.04091 per pound; 2,000 pounds multiplied by $0.04091 per pound equals $81.82 per ton). In comparison, the 880-pound bales would cost $102.27 per ton. Sample for nutrients In addition to cost per ton, also calculate the cost per pound of energy (for example, total digestible nutrients [TDN]) and protein. To determine nutrient content, sample each load or cutting of hay and send it to a reputable lab for testing. The most appropriate analysis will depend on forage species, intended use, and laboratory experience, so consult with a nutritionist for specific testing recommendations. The cost per pound of nutrient can be determined with the following equations: a) 2,000 pounds multiplied by percent nutrient on an as-fed basis equals pounds of nutrient per ton b) Cost per ton of hay divided by pounds of nutrient per ton equals cost per pound of nutrient For example, if a load of hay cost $90 per ton and contained 52.2 percent TDN on an as-fed basis, the cost per pound of TDN would be $0.125 as shown below: a) 2,000 pounds multiplied by 52 percent TDN equals 1,040 pounds of TDN b) $90 divided by 1,040 pounds of TDN equals $0.087 per pound of TDN These equations can be used to calculate the cost per unit of TDN, protein, or any nutrients found in hay as well as other feedstuffs and supplements. Bale weight also affects how long it takes to feed and how frequently hay is put out. For example, a 1,300-pound cow eating 2.5 percent of its body weight would consume 32.5 pounds of hay per day. The last column in the table illustrates how many bales would be consumed by 30 cows per week. Would you rather feed 5.0 or 9.1 bales per week? Unfortunately, many areas of the U.S. are currently abnormally dry or in a drought, and long-term forecasts are predicting below average rainfall for the next three to six months. Now is a good time to evaluate hay reserves and make plans if additional hay is needed. This article appeared in the January 2018 issue of Hay & Forage Grower on page 22. Not a subscriber? Click to get the print magazine What size is a round bale of hay?Round bales can come in various diameters depending on what size baler was used to make them. Standard sizes are 5 feet wide and 6 feet in diameter or 4 feet wide and 5 feet in diameter. Most horse owners use square bales because they are uniform, take less storage space, and are easy to stack and handle.
How many small bales of hay are in a round bale?For example, if the round bale weighs 1,000 pounds, then it equals 20 of your 50-pound small square bales. If the large round-bale weighs 1,200 pounds and the small square bales weigh 40 pounds, then one large round hay bale would be equal to 30 small square bales.
What is the average weight of a round hay bale?Round Bales. How heavy is a 4x5 round bale?A 4'x5' bale weighs 950 lbs (430 kg). A 5'x5' bale weighs 1,200 lbs (540 kg) and a 5'x6' bale weighs 1,500 lbs (680 kg). Grass bales, like timothy, weigh 20% less than alfalfa bales.
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How big is a round bale of hay?
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