Weight of Hay

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Farmer Kevin

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I would like to get a gauge on what a round bale of hay is worth now that the market is increasing rapidly due to the winter kill. What is everyones opinion on what a 5 x 5 round bale of good quality alfalfa would weigh?


Thanks
 
It depends on how tight it's baled. There is a little adjusting knob on the hay baler that sets the density of the roll. Roll it loose and it looks good for a few weeks, then settles down flat. It can be really deceiving. Load one up in the back of your truck and find a set of scales. That's the only true way to get the weight.
 
grannysoo":1lui2wxf said:
It depends on how tight it's baled. There is a little adjusting knob on the hay baler that sets the density of the roll. Roll it loose and it looks good for a few weeks, then settles down flat. It can be really deceiving. Load one up in the back of your truck and find a set of scales. That's the only true way to get the weight.


Should we get the weight as soon as baled or wait until it gets a good rain on it. The weight changes a lot with mousture content at baling too. If the hay was a little green it can be very heavey and if it is over dry it can be very light.
 
alabama":1uqm9shz said:
Should we get the weight as soon as baled or wait until it gets a good rain on it. The weight changes a lot with mousture content at baling too. If the hay was a little green it can be very heavey and if it is over dry it can be very light.

If it's rolled tight, a rain on it will change the weight very little. Moisture content can change the weight quite a bit however. Hard to be really accurate about moisture content without using a moisture meter. Everyone in the hay business, whether buying or selling, should have a moisture meter.

The biggest problem I see in weight in when someone purposely sets the bales for a low density. You can change the bale weight a lot by doing that. A good custom baler will make the bales tight (dense). Someone with less integrity can make you more bales that you'll want to choke them for a few months down the road....
 
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