square bale vs round

[SuperDave]

after picking up small squares today, i would like to know if we should have done all round. How many squares is usual per acre as opposed to 4-6 round per acre? thanks again

 

[bigbull338]

6 rolls is about 150sq bales 8 rolls would be 200sq bales. scott

 

[Crowderfarms]

Our rolls equal 35 square bales per roll. Not a question of should have rolled or not. It depends what you're doing with the hay. Are you feeding Horses? Feeding Cattle, Selling bales to the Public? We Roll and Bale. I like to feed a few bales to Calves, and sell a lot of Bales, and we Roll Hay for our own use.And if it looks like we'll have extra, we sell rolls too.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

after picking up small squares today, i would like to know if we should have done all round. How many squares is usual per acre as opposed to 4-6 round per acre? thanks again

How many bales per acre? Well...a lot depends on type of hay, stand of hay, irrigated, fertilized, size of squares or size of rounds. Only real way you can tell is to bale an acre of hay and count the rolls.

On the other hand, for example, 1,000# round bale divided by 50# square bales = 20 squares per round bale. Figures different than that: weigh round bale, weigh square bale, divide round bale weight by square bale weight = # square bales per round bale.

 

[TheBullLady]

We keep a couple hundred square bales in the barn.. primarily for cows that are in the pens, or sick, etc. I hate square bales.. we use strictly round bales when we can. MUCH easier to handle.

 

[msscamp]

While we don't do round bales, our alfalfa is split between 4X6 and small squares. The 4X6 weigh 1250 and the small squares average 65 lbs, so that's 19.2 small bales for every 4X6 bale.

 

[preston39]

While we don't do round bales, our alfalfa is split between 4X6 and small squares. The 4X6 weigh 1250 and the small squares average 65 lbs, so that's 19.2 small bales for every 4X6 bale.

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msscamp,

What are the advantages of large squares over round bales? Any significant reason one is better than the other? It doesn't appear the square would shed water as good as the round.

 

[dun]

A couple of locals have gone to large squares because they're easier to store compactly compared to large rounds. But they are storing them inside and aren;t concerned with rain damage. Of course the way we are now, nobody is concerned with rain damage

dun

 

[preston39]

dun,
With the likes of Emily coming to the s/w..you should have some rain soon. They usuallly turn NE..once they hit continuous land. We got 5+"" from the last one. The cut hay fields are already 5-6" and growing. Couple more rains will produce a nice fall hay season. Hope you folks get some soon. Drought laiden pasture fields are not a good scene.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

While we don't do round bales, our alfalfa is split between 4X6 and small squares. The 4X6 weigh 1250 and the small squares average 65 lbs, so that's 19.2 small bales for every 4X6 bale.

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msscamp,

What are the advantages of large squares over round bales? Any significant reason one is better than the other? It doesn't appear the square would shed water as good as the round.

Other than "compact storage" can't see any advantage of large squares over rounds. Rounds would tend to shed water easier. Stack them in a row, end to end, keeps sunlight off of ends (except 1st & last roll). Both require tractor with hay spike to move; however, the rounds can also be moved with a "hay buggy" (such as the "Tumblebug" brand).

 

[frenchie]

One thing about Squares love or hate them. There is not a rd baler .that can pump out the tonnage a good sq baler will in a day.

Rounds are just less work thats all.But more waste..

 

[msscamp]

While we don't do round bales, our alfalfa is split between 4X6 and small squares. The 4X6 weigh 1250 and the small squares average 65 lbs, so that's 19.2 small bales for every 4X6 bale.

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msscamp,

What are the advantages of large squares over round bales? Any significant reason one is better than the other? It doesn't appear the square would shed water as good as the round.

Preston, large squares are easier to store, more stackable so less space is needed,and are easier to feed (for me at least). We tarp any stacks that aren't sold, so shedding water is really not a problem for us.

 

[preston39]

One thing about Squares love or hate them. There is not a rd baler .that can pump out the tonnage a good sq baler will in a day.

Rounds are just less work thats all.But more waste..

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frenchie,
Rounds...."But more waste"...
Is that based on both being stored outside?

 

[frenchie]

One thing about Squares love or hate them. There is not a rd baler .that can pump out the tonnage a good sq baler will in a day.

Rounds are just less work thats all.But more waste..

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frenchie,
Rounds...."But more waste"...
Is that based on both being stored outside?

Yes we store both outside ..we tarp all our squares and most of our rounds.we seem to have more mold problems with our rounds especially in the 1st 4 or5 inches. As well when your tieing good alfala rolls.You tend to knock a lot of leaves off,that outer layer.Does,nt seem to matter on the make of rd baler either.

Have very little problems with our squares.The thing with squares is we won,t bale anymore than be picked up the same day.

The solution for us has been either silage /baleage.

 

[preston39]

One thing about Squares love or hate them. There is not a rd baler .that can pump out the tonnage a good sq baler will in a day.

Rounds are just less work thats all.But more waste..

========
frenchie,
Rounds...."But more waste"...
Is that based on both being stored outside?

Yes we store both outside ..we tarp all our squares and most of our rounds.we seem to have more mold problems with our rounds especially in the 1st 4 or5 inches. As well when your tieing good alfala rolls.You tend to knock a lot of leaves off,that outer layer.Does,nt seem to matter on the make of rd baler either.

Have very little problems with our squares.The thing with squares is we won,t bale anymore than be picked up the same day.

The solution for us has been either silage /baleage.

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frenchie,
My question related to both being left to the elements. Not covered.

 

[frenchie]

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frenchie,
My question related to both being left to the elements. Not covered.

In My area .You would lose the top layer in a Sq bale stack. You would also lose 5-6 inches off a round bale here.