Hay Loss

[rusco]

What percentage of round bale hay do you lose if there stored outside? Thanks!!

 

[MikeC]

What percentage of round bale hay do you lose if there stored outside? Thanks!!

I have read studies that said up to half. Depends too on where you are, what rainfall, humidity, etc. But the big thing is quality loss, not just waste.

My haybarn paid for itself in 2-3 years from wasted hay.

 

[stocky]

Like MikeC said, there are alot of factors. You cant do anything about the weather, but you can control where you store them. Hard sloping ground for good drainage and no mud will save you alot of waste. Also, if you do not use a tarp, do not stack the bales because it only traps the water. For years we used the old New Holland round baler and it made a terrible, loose bale. I really believe there were times we lost 1/3 of the hay before we fed it and if it were kept over for a year we lost 2/3 and after 2 years, dont bother feeding it. Now, with the incredibly tight, net wrapped John Deere and similar balers, I do not beleive there is much waste. We now routinely keep bales 2 years with very little waste and the 3rd year some, but not a whole lot. The key is to use the 5x6 bales and to put 3 turns of wrap, not the 1 1/2 that alot of people use. The more surface area you have, the more waste---that is why 4x4 and 4x5 bales are so expensive, because the percentage of waste is to high.

 

[SF]

I store outside. I estimate we lose from 10% to 20%. We store on high ground with good drainage. No tarps.

 

[Stocker Steve]

"We" stack small squares under cover. No waste and works great. It also helps sort out boyfriends and girl friends! Now I just need to find some help after the kids leave home!