Round vs square bale coverage

[canoetrpr]

I am not trying to argue, but I think the 10 to 1 is a little off. We have unrolled some 5x5 bales and put back into squares. We got 20 to 25 per bale depending on density. I don't think the 4x5 dsig1 mentioned would be half of a 5x5. Trying to use simple redneck math, but it don't compute.

Agree here too. I use 4x5s and I think hard core tightly rolled 4x5s are at least 15-20 small square bales. That said, small squares around here don't weigh 70 lb. More like 40-45

 

[Larry Caldwell]

The only way to do it is by the ton. A ton of round bales has the same amount of hay as a ton of square bales. I have a neighbor with a square baler that makes 250 lb. bales of alfalfa. The new high density balers will put 1200 lbs. of straw in one 3' x 4' square bale. They can load 75,000 lbs. of straw into one shipping container. Here on the West Coast, a lot of straw goes to the far east as animal fodder and mushroom medium.

Solid Savings With High-Density Balers

 

[Taylortractornut]

We roll out round bales on our waterways at the landfill. I have a 2 inch pipe that I made that has a set of pipes that I can get close to the center of the bale and drive in some 1 inch pipes. i nthe center then un roll them. We seed them and fertilize them and they make nice patches of grass.
I made a similar setup that went on my skid steer loader but loaned it out.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Why use hay when straw is cheaper?

 

[dstig1]

Because apparently some hay is or becomes unusable as feed, so the value plummets. Plus I am told it is actually better as ground cover as it contains seeds that will germinate and help create more ground cover. I am finding hay bales for cover for a buck, whereas straw is anywhere from $3-6/bale.

No first hand experience doing it, just doing what I'm told...

 

[jonyyuma]

Plenty cheap, $3.00 a square bale for anything here? $30.00 for round..

 

[D7E]

Real nice 3x3 squares wheat and oat straw up here are making $10 a bale ...I know i have 650 i am struggling to sell !

Last years first cut beef hay $25 for 800lbs 3x3 square

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I am told it is actually better as ground cover as it contains seeds that will germinate and help create more ground cover

If "ground cover" is your end goal, you'd be better off to plant something.

Anything that sprouts from hay will be weeds, if the hay was cut when it should have been

 

[dstig1]

If "ground cover" is your end goal, you'd be better off to plant something.

Anything that sprouts from hay will be weeds, if the hay was cut when it should have been

I am. Planting winter wheat and grass. But I need something to stop erosion before that stuff takes root, and as this time of year, I'm afraid I won't get much in the way of sprouting. So I need straw or hay, but hay adds the bonus of having seeds in it, and I found hay that is not suitable for feed much cheaper than straw.

I'm about to head out and pick it up in fact $1/bale is my kind of price!

 

[Duffster]

I am. Planting winter wheat and grass. But I need something to stop erosion before that stuff takes root, and as this time of year, I'm afraid I won't get much in the way of sprouting. So I need straw or hay, but hay adds the bonus of having seeds in it, and I found hay that is not suitable for feed much cheaper than straw.

I'm about to head out and pick it up in fact $1/bale is my kind of price!

Large squares, 3x3 which are really only 30" by 32" +/-, are ~90/100 lbs per foot. Typical 7.5' bale is ~700 lbs.