Big round & small square bales

[Joanne MN]

Quick question : How many small square bales of alfalfa/hay equal one big round bale?

[Janene]

Depends on the weight of the small square bales and the weight of the big round bales.
I have seen/handled small square bales 45 pounds, up to 80 pounds apiece.
And big round bales' weights vary; 500#, 1200# and more.

Some say one big round bale equals 40 small bales.....but again, depends on the weights, and how "tight" they are baled. (Tighter means heavier bales generally.)

No way do I (ok, the cow!) get the same "eating equivilents" of 40 small square bales and one big round bale. There is more waste with the round bale.....and each bale I got this past winter were different weights....even from the same guy.

Janene

We bought huge round bales this last year - they are about 5 feet tall (on end) and 5 feet across. We put them in a bale feeder in the winter, but in the warmer months we peel off hay for each day and put it out for the animals.

Each round bale lasts us about a week in the winter and 10 days in the summer. I figure that would make those bales equal about 30 square bales (60-75 lbs), as we are feeding 2 horses, 2 "cows", and a goat.

[Joanne MN]

Thanks for the replies. The reason I ask, we own 8 acres in alfalfa, right now leased to a farmer. He just hayed off 16 large round bales. They look pretty tight. I wanted to know how many smaller bales that would equal, for my goats (this summer) and my future cow (3-4 years down the road).

So if I calculate 30 small square bales per big round bale, that equals 480 small square bales (16 times 30) for the first cutting? Wow. That's a lot. I assume the second and third cuttings will be less. Say 400 for the second and 300 for the third, that brings us to almost 1200 small square bales for the summer?? That can't be right.

If it is right, I need to raise my land lease, 'cuz my farmer is making a mint.

[Jenn]

Round bales are generally cheaper per pound than square bales. Even if 30 small squares=1 round bale pound wise, 1 round bale might cost the same as 15-20 square bales.
-Jenn

[sergeant82d]

The guy who bales my pasture says he gets about 16 small square bales to one of his round bales. But he gets $2 for each small square, and $25 per large round... I prefer square for manual handling, but until I get all my own haying equipment, I'll be getting round bales...

If this ratio holds for you, you would cut the numbers about in half (16 vs 30 square per round).

HTH,
Brad

[AnnB (NE)]

Around here, hay prices are based on the ton.
If hay is going for $100/ton, then a 1500 lb round bale would sell for $75, and a 1000 lb bale would sell for $50. Same with small squares, if the bales weigh 50 lbs, 40 bales makes a ton, if hay is $100/ton, that's $2.50 per bale (although usually the weight on small squares is a guesstimate)

This year, small squares are harder to find, so are going higher than the going rate of $120/ton.

Ann B

[medwife]

I think the reason why small squares are becoming scarce is due to the rising fuel prices. It generally takes more twine and fuel to work up a field of square bales, vs big rounds, especially by the time you include hand loading from the pasture etc. Big rounds are definitely more cost effective.

Cindy

[Liz]

When we put out a big round for the first time, they eat it pretty quickly, then subsequent ones last longer. The average weight is 750 lbs, and squares are about 50-60 lbs, so only 10-12 smalls to equal a large.

Here in TX a big round is $80
a small square is $7
This is for basic bahia/caostal hay

Alfalfa squares are $12-15 each!

[Joanne MN]

Just bought some grass hay from a neighbor. 100 small square bales for $2.50 each. Second cutting nothing but grass. Fine for my fiber goats.

[Shawn]

Jul 16, 2008 19:34:17 GMT -5 Liz said:

When we put out a big round ..... The average weight is 750 lbs,

Wow. The round bales I'm getting are 1500-1800 lbs. each. Man, what a difference.

[Jenn]

They place where I've been getting hay makes LARGE bales, 1800lb, for themselves and smaller bales, 900lbs, for sale.
-jenn

[kristins]

Jul 16, 2008 19:34:17 GMT -5 Liz said:

When we put out a big round for the first time, they eat it pretty quickly, then subsequent ones last longer.

The implication here is that they eat like crazy the first bale and then slow down. In my experience, the first bale goes real fast because I have not limited access to the bale and they hit it from all sides, wasting much. I panic when I realize the bale cost XX dollars and put a bunch of pallets or otherwise limit their access to one end. The subsequent bales last 25-30% longer.

Of course this always takes at least one large round bale of the season for me to figure out. You would think I'd learn.

Kristin