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Is baling hay hard work?
It’s not the easiest of tasks, but baling your own hay is a satisfying project that is—in my opinion—well worth the effort involved. But it is difficult, especially if you produce the small square bales that are so convenient for many hobby farmers.
What is the going rate for baling hay?
Swathing, $20-$22 per acre; Raking, $8-$10 per acre; Baling: small bales, 60-75 cents per bale; midsize (3×3), $10-$12 per bale; midsize (3×4), $14-$18 per bale; large square (4×4), $22-$25 per bale; round bales, $12-$15 per bale.
How long does it take to cut and bale hay?
Of course, when grasses are ready is only one part of the mowing equation. When the weather is ready is another. On average the entire process of mowing, raking and baling hay takes 3 days—in good weather. Therefore, pastures should be cut when a window of at least 3 days of sunny, dry, hot weather can be expected.
How many times a year can you bale hay?
In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield.
Can you bale hay in the 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!” Work with what works with your schedule to get the hay baled before a rain.
How do you bail hay?
How to Bale Hay
- Mow. The mowing process is typically the longest because you’re going one strip at a time, thus making more passes around the field.
- Tedder. Teddering, or scattering hay, is the second fastest in the process of baling hay.
- Rake.
- Bale.
How much does round baling cost?
By Eric Eberly ([email protected]) Extension Agent, Farm Business Management
| Table 5. Baling Cost per Bale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Labor rates per Hour | ||
| Round Baling Total Cost per Bale (includes $1.75/bale for twine) | 4 | 14.47 |
| 3 | 18.71 | |
| 2 | 27.20 |
How many acres do you need for hay?
Horse farmers are looking for good hay, and they’re willing to pay for it. Here was the thought, on 50 acres you would get 100 square bales per acre, which is a conservative number. If we do the math, that works out to be. 100 bales x 50 acres = 5000 bales of hay for 50 acres of land.
What is the best hay baler for your farm?
They can be pulled by compact tractors or even via an attachment to an ATV vehicle. While round bales are the balers of choice for harvesting hay from large acreage, the mini round balers are best suited for folks who are only baling a few acres, and need winter feed for small to medium livestock, and do not have access to large farming equipment.
How many times do you have to rake hay before baling?
Before hay can be baled, it must be cut and then raked – typically two or three times, to make sure it is thoroughly dried. This hay field is being raked or for a second time to ensure no damp grass remains in any clump that could spark the creation of mildew during storage. Types of Hay Bales
What is the difference between loose hay and baled hay?
Loose hay takes up a lot more space than baled hay, and it’s easier to waste it as it spills everywhere. You’ll also need a reliable method of transporting the hay from field to barn. Most people do this by chopping the hay with simple tools like scythes and hand rakes to collect it from the fields.
How much moisture should be in a bale of hay?
Always attempt to bale hay when the moisture in the air is neither too low nor too high. Doing so can result in both nutrient loss and the fraying of leaves. Ideally, the moisture count should not be any higher than 15 to 22\% for square bales and mini round bales, and less than 18\% for large round bales.