Square bales or round bales?

[meadowlarkponds]

I was gonna ask how the Tifton 9 Bahiagrass worked for you.Im thinking about planting 38acres in it.Whats your suggestion?

Well, in the worst drought we have ever had, the two upland fields with the Tifton 9 Bahiagrass produced some of the best hay in this county...at least that is what my baler guy told me. He said it was far better than other coastal and bahia fields he had been in. It yielded over 2 rolls to the acre with virtually no rain and zero fertilizer. I could never fertilize because it was so dry.

I'm certainly glad I planted it years back, but never expected to see this kind of drought.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Well, in the worst drought we have ever had, the two upland fields with the Tifton 9 Bahiagrass produced some of the best hay in this county...at least that is what my baler guy told me. He said it was far better than other coastal and bahia fields he had been in. It yielded over 2 rolls to the acre with virtually no rain and zero fertilizer. I could never fertilize because it was so dry.

I'm certainly glad I planted it years back, but never expected to see this kind of drought.

Thanks!!! I will go ahead and plant it then. I seen cple of your pictures,was kinda hard to tell in the photos how it turned out.. Were is your place located in east texas?

 

[MotorSeven]

SKS, sorry we hijacked your thread, but this is some interesting stuff

5030 I only have about 5 bucks in a bale, but our pastures are in a bottom with a big creek that likes to flood a few times every winter. It sure messes things up, but it's free fertilizer.

Foreman if you are going to buy equipment bite the bullet and buy a new baler. We bought a used one and spent $600 in parts, 3 weeks down time waiting for said parts and paid a neighbor $100 to roll up what we had already cut. Rakes tedders and cutters are a better risk buying used. I have my eye on the Krone but $16K is scares the bejesus outa me

 

[meadowlarkponds]

Thanks!!! I will go ahead and plant it then. I seen cple of your pictures,was kinda hard to tell in the photos how it turned out.. Were is your place located in east texas?

Between Lufkin and Livingston

 

[5030]

I pay $27 a bale,for them to cut and bale.This last year was a 2 bale an acre minimium. I made 31 bales on 30 acres and had $1800 in fertilizer and $1600 in baling.I'll do the math so you dont have too around a $109 in each bale. But they gotta make money,I understand that. Mite just go ahead and buy my own equipment this year..

You already have the power. Heck, my M runs everything and never works up a sweat, heck, I have to blow the dust off the fuel gage once in a while.

I think the only disconcerting thing is turning a windrow end with the 575. I've taken to disengage the pto and allow the bailer to slow down before turning. That huge plunger really rocks the M.... it spills my beverage....

Last summer I ran contract wheat in small squares for a farmer down the road. I put almost 4000 squares on the ground in less than 12 hours and that included numerous beverage breaks.......:laughing:

 

[foreman Etexas]

You already have the power. Heck, my M runs everything and never works up a sweat, heck, I have to blow the dust off the fuel gage once in a while.

I think the only disconcerting thing is turning a windrow end with the 575. I've taken to disengage the pto and allow the bailer to slow down before turning. That huge plunger really rocks the M.... it spills my beverage....

Last summer I ran contract wheat in small squares for a farmer down the road. I put almost 4000 squares on the ground in less than 12 hours and that included numerous beverage breaks.......:laughing:

Im looking at the Vermeer Rebel or the NH Roll-Belt both 4x5 balers,would like to be able to run the M5040 but can use M7040,just didnt wonna have to haul it when I usually keep 5040 at lease place....But A/C and cab may be worth the extra haul

 

[NativeSon]

My father-in-law always bought the small square bales of Alfalfa. I added it up for him what cost he has in the small ones,now he buys the big square bales.I do have to unload them for him but he has a big barn to store them in. He has two plastic bed mats that go in a pickup set up on ground were I can put one bale in and when he bust it open to feed his sheep,the good stuff dont get in the dirt,no waste this way. I usually just feed round bales to my cattle but do put up around 50 squares,case I have to keep a cow pinned up in corral or something. But for those that dont have a way to move round bales could always get one of these..

Introduing the JackRabit Hay Bale Mover - YouTube

Cheaper than a tractor but not near as fun!!!


Charlie

 

[forgeblast]

My buddy sold out of hay for the first time this year. He only sells the square bales, easier for people to "try" his hay first and then buy.