Big bales vs Conventional

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 25, 2015

Am thinking of changing from big bales of straw to conventional (Bale baron packs). The reason being that as a one man band littering up the sheep is a long drawn out process with a wheelbarrow and pitch fork. I am sure it would be quicker and easier, saving time and money in the long run even though the straw will probably cost more. I buy in all straw anyway so wouldn't of thought the difference would be to vast. Thoughts anyone? Anyone any idea what sort of money packs come in at? @Forage Trader @Strawgalore etc

Strawgalore · Jan 25, 2015

I have a number of small scale sheep men who love the bale packs for the same reason ,

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 25, 2015

Strawgalore said:
I have a number of small scale sheep men who love the bale packs for the same reason ,

Expect I'm to far away from you to be feasible but how much do packs come in at delivered?

Strawgalore · Jan 25, 2015

Never to far away @Gatehouse Farm , I have a chap who bales packs in kent , and I get to Sussex quite often, il do some price comparisons for you so you know how much more it will make your straw .

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 25, 2015

Strawgalore said:
Never to far away @Gatehouse Farm , I have a chap who bales packs in kent , and I get to Sussex quite often, il do some price comparisons for you so you know how much more it will make your straw .

Thanks. How many little bales is the equivalent to a 8ft out of a 2170XD?

Poorbuthappy · Jan 25, 2015

I don't know the layout of your sheds, but I find round bales ideal bedding up by hand.
(Or are you talking of individual lambing pens?)
I know rounds are not hauliers favourites but you may be able to source locally.

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 25, 2015

Poorbuthappy said:
I don't know the layout of your sheds, but I find round bales ideal bedding up by hand.
(Or are you talking of individual lambing pens?)
I know rounds are not hauliers favourites but you may be able to source locally.

Both really. My main pens are approx 30ft x 12ft with walk through feeders in between with 20 ewes in each. Problem I find with big bales or round bales is the actual straw. I find the straw out of rotary combines is awful (smashed to bits) as soon as you open a bale they just fall to bits. Oh for decent straw out of a straw walker.

spin cycle · Jan 25, 2015

3 ft rounds for me...tip them in and roll them to the part of pen that needs littering and the sheep do the rest

....also they eat some straw in preference to hay

.....mind you it's my own spring barley straw through a 32 yr old claas

Strawgalore · Jan 26, 2015

Gatehouse Farm said:
Both really. My main pens are approx 30ft x 12ft with walk through feeders in between with 20 ewes in each. Problem I find with big bales or round bales is the actual straw. I find the straw out of rotary combines is awful (smashed to bits) as soon as you open a bale they just fall to bits. Oh for decent straw out of a straw walker.

Most of my sheep men love the stuff out of a rotary ,

Strawgalore · Jan 26, 2015

Gatehouse Farm said:
Thanks. How many little bales is the equivalent to a 8ft out of a 2170XD?

A good 2170xd should be 400kg
A good standard conventional should be about 22kg
A conventional in a balebarron pack will be a good bit less I'm guessing at 17kg ish ,
It's to late for me to do sums so il let you do the hard bit !

Sussex Martin · Jan 26, 2015

Gatehouse Farm said:
Am thinking of changing from big bales of straw to conventional (Bale baron packs). The reason being that as a one man band littering up the sheep is a long drawn out process with a wheelbarrow and pitch fork. I am sure it would be quicker and easier, saving time and money in the long run even though the straw will probably cost more. I buy in all straw anyway so wouldn't of thought the difference would be to vast. Thoughts anyone? Anyone any idea what sort of money packs come in at? @Forage Trader @Strawgalore etc

If you have time to go to Agri Expo at Detling in March there is usually someone there that advertise their services with a bale packer. Don't know if you will be lambing then though?

Barleycorn · Jan 26, 2015

There was a baler, krone I think, that baled small bales within a big bale if that makes sense.

Otherwise could you use a spreader/blower. Makes the job much easier.

GTB · Jan 26, 2015

Barleycorn said:
There was a baler, krone I think, that baled small bales within a big bale if that makes sense.

Otherwise could you use a spreader/blower. Makes the job much easier.

I was going to suggest a straw chopper too. Best thing I ever bought!

Nearly · Jan 26, 2015

GTB said:
I was going to suggest a straw chopper too. Best thing I ever bought!

Get the difference in price and then look at getting a 'little bit mechanised' for the cost of say 2 years 'extra'? Bobcat / little cart / transport box / big straw bales at back of pen?

Post a pic on here and let us pull your system to bits.

powerontheland · Jan 26, 2015

@Gatehouse Farm Where abouts are you in Kent?

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 26, 2015

powerontheland said:
@Gatehouse Farm Where abouts are you in Kent?

Just outside of Canterbury.

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 26, 2015

Sussex Martin said:
If you have time to go to Agri Expo at Detling in March there is usually someone there that advertise their services with a bale packer. Don't know if you will be lambing then though?

Most probably!

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 26, 2015

Barleycorn said:
There was a baler, krone I think, that baled small bales within a big bale if that makes sense.

Otherwise could you use a spreader/blower. Makes the job much easier.

Problem with the Krone baler is you get one little bale inside that you can carry with one finger and then the next one you might need to be the worlds strongest man to lift it.

Captain Mainwaring · Jan 26, 2015

I've had some hay done this year in the multi-pack bales from a Krone baler. This makes up to 8 separate bales within one standard 120x70 bale. I had some done for horse customers but the general consensus is that they're a bit heavy. However in straw I reckon they would be o.k. and not vastly more expensive than what your on already. I'm probably not a million miles from you so feel free to pm me if this is of any interest.
Edit. Sounds like you've already had experience of them!

Gatehouse Farm · Jan 26, 2015

Barleycorn said:
I was going to suggest a straw chopper too. Best thing I ever bought!

I know you're easycare @GTB. do you not worry about the ewes eyes and the dust must be a nightmare?

Big bales vs Conventional

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Never Forgotten

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

Share this page