How big is a bale of timothy hay?

Asked by: Melanie Garcia

Standlee Premium Products creates compressed bales of forage from a large 4’x4’x8′ bale that is put through a press, sliced horizontally, pushed onto a scale, weighed, compressed and then banded. Timothy Grass forage is highly palatable, is low to moderate in protein and high in digestible fiber.

What is the average size of a standard hay bale?

Two-string hay bales are typically 14” high x 18” wide x 35” long, and three-string bales are 16” high x 22” wide x 44” long. 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.

How much hay is in a bale?

A typical round hay bale can weigh anywhere between 1200-1700 lb (544-771 kg). Alfalfa hay of round hay bales weigh around 1200-2000 lb (544-907 kg), a three-string bale of alfalfa weighs approx 110-140 lb (50-63.5 kg) and a small two-string bale can weigh anywhere between 60-70 lb (27-31.8 kg).

How many inches is a bale of hay?

They come in different sizes ranging from 2-string (18 inches or 460mm), either by 14 or 16 inches (350mm to 400mm) high and 32 to 48 inches (0.8 to 1.2m) long, to 3-string that are 21 in wide, by 16 inches high, by 3 to 4 feet long. They are also called commercial bales.

What are the measurements of a square bale of hay?

Preferably, most common square bale dimensions below 50″L x 30″W x 30″H.

What size is a small bale of hay?

Small Bales

The dimension of a small bale held together by three strings is approximately 16” high x 22” wide x 44” long (406.4 mm high x 558.8 mm wide x 1117.6 mm long) and usually weighs 100lbs.

How much is a small square bale of hay?

Small square bales averaged $4.60 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $64.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 to $90.00). Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 – $85.00). In Nebraska, hay sold steady, demand is light in 2020.

Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?

In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall, you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it.

How many pounds is a square bale of hay?

Small 2 string square bale 14” x 18” x 36” 40 lbs to 60 lbs (18 kg to 27 kg). Small 3 wire square bale 16” x 22” x 44” 100 lbs to 120 lbs (45 kg to 54 kg). Large square bale 36″ x 48″ x 96″ 1200 lbs to 2,000 lbs (544 kg to 907 kg).

How much is a round hay bale?

The Price of Hay Bales By Weight

How many small bales are in a big bale of hay?

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.

How big is a 50lb bale of hay?

Product information

What is the difference between round and square hay bales?

The only difference between square and round bales is the type of machinery used. The shape of the bale won’t influence the nutrient content of the hay. Why have most of hay producers changed from making small square bales to large round bales? It is primarily due to the labor requirements for making the smaller bales.

Why do farmers stack hay?

If hay is baled while too moist or becomes wet while in storage, there is a significant risk of spontaneous combustion. Hay stored outside must be stacked in such a way that moisture contact is minimal. Some stacks are arranged in such a manner that the hay itself sheds water when it falls.

Why do farmers leave hay bales in the field?

You might find hay bales left in a field simply because a farmer hasn’t had time to stop by and grab the bales yet. Most farmers work overtime during the summer to get the hay in the barn by the time the fields stop producing.

What are those big rolls of hay called?

Balers that produce the large round bales you see dotting the countryside are the most common type of balers available today. These balers produce what are referred to as ton bales. These bales of hay can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

How many square bales of hay does a cow eat?

A 1200-pound cow, ready for processing, will require 36 pounds of forage per day based on the formula used here. Thirty-six pounds of hay is close to one small square bale of hay per day, taking into consideration some waste.

Why do farmers roll up hay?

Why do they do that? Farmers often bale hay in large round bales instead of small square bales because they require less labor to bale and move than small square bales. The shape of round bales enables them to be stored outside, something you would never do with square bales.

Why are hay bales wrapped in different Colours?

“Farmers who use darker plastic will see it break down more quickly than those who use lighter-colored material. The darker plastic breaks down faster in the summer heat and sun, making it more permeable to oxygen and limiting the fermentation process,” Hall explains.

Is hay a good cash crop?

Over the last few years many hay acres have been planted to cash grain crops. Combining fewer acres in hay production with decreased forage yields, the supply of hay is low. Consequently, hay prices are strong and in demand.

How many times do you turn hay?

Hay should be cut when dry at the end of a sunny day when sugar levels are at their highest and tedded immediately after cutting. In good weather the grass is tedded twice daily and in very good sunny, breezy weather haymaking should be achieved in 3 to 4 days.

Can you turn hay too much?

Hay mowed early in the morning could be tedded that afternoon, as long as the mowed swath is dry on the top surface. It may require a second tedding the next day to speed up the drying process. Too much tedding can shatter the leaves of alfalfa or clover, lowering the quality of the hay.

What time of day is best to cut hay?

morning

With all of these factors in mind, it is best to cut hay when there is the greatest opportunity for successful drying, or early in the morning after the dew has dried off. As the old saying goes, “make hay while the sun shines!”

What happens if you bale hay too early?

Hay that is cut and baled with high moisture is at risk for spontaneous combustion for up to three weeks as the plant cells are still respiring.

Can hay bales get rained on?

Unfortunately, rain can damage hay in several ways. Rain leaches soluble nutrients and keeps the moisture level high, thus increasing the likelihood of decay and mold. Hay rained on during field drying of course damages legume hay more than grass hay and the drier the hay when rain occurs, the greater the damage.

How long do you leave hay before baling?

As a rule of thumb, wait to rake hay until after the dew has dried and the sun nears its peak, or around 11:00 am. If possible, let the raked hay sit for an hour or two before baling to allow more drying time. Haymakers have several types of rakes available.