Round Bale Hay v Square Bale

[devonbrion1998]

Just looking at prices on Hay/haylage, Can anyone tell what the difference in weight/quantity
is 4 string square and round,I'm aware there will always be variations on baleing methods, but just a rough guide?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

80x70 4 sting standard length 4/ton 80x90 4 sting 3/ton , rounds is anyones guess . From 2 to 6 to the ton

 

[devonbrion1998]

80x70 4 sting standard length 4/ton 80x90 4 sting 3/ton , rounds is anyones guess . From 2 to 6 to the ton

Thanks I'm just looking at £18 round heavy double rapped v £30 80x90 4 stringers,I have always worked on square bale being 30% more feed/weight, but I'm not sure

 

[neilo]

Thanks I'm just looking at £18 round heavy double rapped v £30 80x90 4 stringers,I have always worked on square bale being 30% more feed/weight, but I'm not sure

If the rounds are wrapped, I assume they’re haylage rather than hay? If so, the DM% will make a massive difference to the weight. Usually far better feed value than hay in terms of energy & protein too, so make sure you are comparing like with like.

 

[onthehoof]

If the rounds are wrapped, I assume they’re haylage rather than hay? If so, the DM% will make a massive difference to the weight. Usually far better feed value than hay in terms of energy & protein too, so make sure you are comparing like with like.

Think they mean net wrap

 

[Spencer]

Thanks I'm just looking at £18 round heavy double rapped v £30 80x90 4 stringers,I have always worked on square bale being 30% more feed/weight, but I'm not sure

Think the rounds are a lot better value at that..

 

[Grassman]

I have seen " 4 foot" round bales from 46" wide to 50". Diameters likewise. And density can be a massive variation.

 

[neilo]

Think they mean net wrap

I took 'double wrapped' as being film wrapped.....

 

[DrDunc]

Compare this elephant to that bowl of flowers.....

Without a forage analysis and actually weighing the buggers, the apple you're eating is actually a pear ??

 

[devonbrion1998]

If the rounds are wrapped, I assume they’re haylage rather than hay? If so, the DM% will make a massive difference to the weight. Usually far better feed value than hay in terms of energy & protein too, so make sure you are comparing like with like.
[/QUOTE

Sorry I'm not being very clear here, options Haylage £18 good size double-wrapped, net and plastic round, verses 8ft 80x 90 hay bales,just thinking if there is not twice as much in the volume of feed, not worried about weight, its only water, then the hay is not such a good deal?

 

[neilo]

Sorry I'm not being very clear here, options Haylage £18 good size double-wrapped, net and plastic round, verses 8ft 80x 90 hay bales,just thinking if there is not twice as much in the volume of feed, not worried about weight, its only water, then the hay is not such a good deal?

Any analysis on it? Hay is rarely over 8% CP and 10ME would be very good. That energy level would be very 'ordinary' for Haylage, and the protein would normally be 14-18% IME. It's a very different feed.

 

[devonbrion1998]

Any analysis on it? Hay is rarely over 8% CP and 10ME would be very good. That energy level would be very 'ordinary' for Haylage, and the protein would normally be 14-18% IME. It's a very different feed.

No analysis I'm afraid, I probably only need about 50 bales, but it's not just the price we need a decent feed for the amount of cold rain we have had, need to keep them up together this winter, the 50 stores I kept back are at a standstill at the moment with the constant rain despite Turnips hay and meal,I reckon if the haylage is that much higher protein its a no brainer

 

[Sid]

My rounds of hay were weighed at 280kg average.
Welgar Baler.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

4 string hay at £30 is to dear in the current market situation unless its supper quality deliverd price

 

[cotswoldcs]

My rounds of hay were weighed at 280kg average.
Welgar Baler.

That's interesting. An 8 foot 6 string square bale is approx 500kg. That seems quite heavy for a round bale. Anyone else know a weight of their round bale and what baler they run?

 

[Sid]

That's interesting. An 8 foot 6 string square bale is approx 500kg. That seems quite heavy for a round bale. Anyone else know a weight of their round bale and what baler they run?

They were weighed by a customer of mine. I didnt argue

 

[cotswoldcs]

I wasn't disagreeing with you just that the Welger obviously produces a solid bale.

 

[neilo]

That's interesting. An 8 foot 6 string square bale is approx 500kg. That seems quite heavy for a round bale. Anyone else know a weight of their round bale and what baler they run?

I put a couple on my weighbars out of interest, a couple of years ago. 4' (tight) rounds by a McHale Fusion averaged about 240kg. 4' chopped haylage (50%+DM) from the same baler were 494kg iirc.

Water really is the fodder merchants' friend.

 

[Sid]

I wasn't disagreeing with you just that the Welger obviously produces a solid bale.

Not just good baler but 5* operator !

I put a couple on my weighbars out of interest, a couple of years ago. 4' (tight) rounds by a McHale Fusion averaged about 240kg. 4' chopped haylage (50%+DM) from the same baler were 494kg iirc.

Water really is the fodder merchants' friend.

Hence why I tried to sell on DM basis!

Animals eat DM they drink water!

 

[devonbrion1998]

Well,I have gone for the round Haylage, picked up a load and fed a couple yesterday looks and smells like some quality gear
The big Hay bales did sound expensive given it didn't look the best of stuff, thanks for all the input chaps