Table of Contents
- 1 Why are round bales better than square?
- 2 How long will a round bale last outside?
- 3 Which is better round or square bales?
- 4 How much does a round bale of hay cost 2020?
- 5 How long does it take a horse to eat a round bale?
- 6 How much does a round bale of hay cost?
- 7 How are hay bales made?
- 8 When did round hay balers become popular?
Why are round bales better than square?
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 are round bales considered to be a poor source of hay for horses?
Round baled hay is typically associated with a higher incidence of dust and mould. Therefore horses with respiratory problems are not good candidates in round bale feeding systems.
How long will a round bale last outside?
Severe deterioration is usually confined to the outside two to eight inches of the bale….Bales Stored Outside and Unprotected.
| Period | ||
|---|---|---|
| Storage Method | Storage Period Up to 9 months* | 12-18 months |
| Exposed | Storage Period | |
| Ground | Storage Period 5-20 | 15-50 |
Who invented round bales of hay?
Wesley Buchele
To make large round hay bales, you need a large round hay baler. And in 1966, agricultural engineer Wesley Buchele invented one.
Which is better round or square bales?
Large square bales have a much higher density compared to the rounds. Each square bale is often well homogeneous and the volume is well optimised (depending on the gear you use and the quality of the hay/straw, of course).
How many square bales equal 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.
How much does a round bale of hay cost 2020?
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.
Do round bales get moldy?
The bacteria that can cause botulism prefer moist conditions, so round bales left out in the dew and rain provide an ideal environment for bacterial growth. In addition, when not handled properly round bales can be more prone to moisture penetration that leads to mold, which is a significant colic risk.
How long does it take a horse to eat a round bale?
Ideally a large round bale would be consumed within seven days. This is usually achieved when four or more adult horses feed from a large round bale.
How long does it take 2 horses to eat a round bale?
It takes two of mine anywhere from a week to two weeks to go through one round bale depending on how cold it is, how tightly packed the bale is, how much of it they manage to turn into bedding etc… so it really depends. I have 30 round bales and 280 square bales for this winter.
How much does a round bale of hay cost?
The Price of Hay Bales By Weight
| Hay Quality | Bale Type | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Large Round | $152 |
| Grade 2 | Large Square | $137 |
| Large Round | $116 | |
| Grade 3 | Large Square | $123 |
When did farmers start using round bales?
Pickup and handling methods. In the 1940s most farmers would bale hay in the field with a small tractor with 20 or less horsepower, and the tied bales would be dropped onto the ground as the baler moved through the field.
How are hay bales made?
Farmers started using large, round baling equipment to reduce human labor in the 1970s. The hay is cut, left to dry, then raked into rows. The baler rolls the hay into the large, round bales.
Is the large round bale more economical than the small square?
For hay producers, is the large round bale more economical than the small square? Because of all the variables involved, there’s no easy answer. Certainly, the big ton bales are increasingly popular among American hay farmers. The total equipment investment for producing round bales is typically less than for small bale production.
When did round hay balers become popular?
Early round balers, like the one that went into production in 1947 and sold like hotcakes amid the postwar economic boom, produced fairly small bales, which farmers still had to move around by hand.
What is the best size hay baler for a horse?
If someone has a horse and needs hay, small square bales are a more acceptable size for use. But for people that feed large amounts of hay, round bales are the norm. Even though round balers may cost twice as much as a square baler, the labor savings during hay baling and feeding more than make up for the extra expense of the machine.