Table 3 shows that there are 470 cubic feet per ton of settled alfalfa c. 7,200 470 = 15 tons of hay 3. Our summer forage harvesting went well this year, in a season when other farmers in our area that were making dry hay had little to no success. Looks ready to bale dry? To feed the haylage on pasture, we cut the plastic off, then drive into the field. (If you find any errors please contact us). However, before determining the actual weights, the agents and the bale owner/producer took a crack at estimating the average bale weight (three bales were weighed at each farm). 0000006582 00000 n 0000024051 00000 n Dont leave the unrolled section of the haylage with the sheep or cattle. As long as the wrap is not damaged the haylage inside will be stable. The same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs. Square hay bales come in two size groups, small and large. Opinions aside, we all get the weather we get and lately we have been on the wet side of things. I truly enjoy sharing our experiences (Im the writer) and helping folks get started raising animals on their own farm or in the backyard. link to How Do You Know If A Sheep Is Sick? This is because the temperature affects the water's density, and the density affects the weight. Both are fermented hay made for feeding livestock. For clarity's sake, let's go through a quick example. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. This way the lambs can spend the summer outside with their moms, eating grass and enjoying the sunshine. 0000002337 00000 n The first tractor is on the baler and the second is either running the wrapper or tipping the bales up onto the flat side to sit. Feed costs account for 60% of a beef cow . There are two standard guides for determining the weight and volume of corn silage. Sixty to 65 percent dry matter, with 35 to 40 percent moisture (for the harvested material), is best. Since this was already after dark, after 9 p.m. we were glad to get it done! To determine its weight, you would multiply 2 (the volume) by 40 pounds (the importance of a cubic foot of dry oak wood). Bale density also plays a rather large role in final bale weight. 0000042791 00000 n 9ft Single Slab Black Epoxy River Dining Table GTA. Some farms make haylage like silage-chop it up and put it in a silo. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. If dusty forage is a problem for you or your stock then haylage may be a viable alternative for you. As has been well documented by research, storage losses can range from below 5 percent to over 50 percent, depending on storage method. Crib capacities in bushels for ear corn per foot of length: Width Height in Feet In feet 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' The plastic cuts off the air, leaving the baled forage in an anaerobic (no air) environment. All Lambs are supposed to be born in the spring, right? At first, making haylage is the same as making dry hay. Lets look into it. Then to convert cubic feet to bushels: Multiply by .8 for small grain or shelled corn. We weigh grain, feed inputs, crop inputs, calves, cows, and milk . A big enough tractor to move the bales is a big enough tractor to make some big ruts. You need the stems of the grasses to stay long! If you must re position the bales you need a grabber. We did some of each and liked the tube wrapper the best for speed, its a ton faster and uses less plastic per bale wrapped. Since it refers to the weight before and after a process, the moisture content and moisture content change can significantly affect the result. . They come in two basic shapes, round and square. What exactly is haylage and will it work for you, your farm and your livestock? Since the bales are heavy even your older round baler may not be able to bale the wet forage because of the extra weight. Round hay bales are usually quite large and weigh from 600 to 1,600 lbs (272 kg to 544 kg). It frequently is used to refer to the loss of feed during harvest, handling, and storage. Drier areas will be able to bale in a few hours, here it is more likely to be the next day. University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 2000, Daniel Wiersma, UW-Madison, Marshfield Agricultural Research Station Horizontal silos, bag silos, and stacks require mechanical compaction to achieve adequate . Are you looking for volume to weight conversion like milligrams to milliliters, kilograms to liters, or grams to milliliters? However, bunker silo densities less than 14 lb dry matter per cubic foot resulted in dry matter losses of 17-20%. It looks like nothing was found at this location. The term shrink is used widely in the feed industry. It has timing issues as well. Baleage means that it is fermented hay specifically in bale form, this is the type that we do for our sheep. Large square hay bales and round hay bales require bale handling equipment such as a tractor with a bale lift. Haylage is baled at 40-60% moisture, it is essentially a wet bale of wilted forage. We all know that the sooner you notice a health problem in your stock, the sooner you can start treatment and get her back into top shape. To find the average dry weight per board foot, divide the pounds per cubic foot by 12. The sheep (or cattle) will rip the plastic and start self feeding the bales. According to research at the University of Wisconsin and Cornell University, when silage was packed in a bunker silo to a density of greater than 14 lb of dry matter per cubic foot, it ensiled well. 0000032849 00000 n They have some distinct advantages over small square bales and round bales, are ideal for shipping and are easy to stack in storage areas., The ability to be handled by forklifts and front end loaders is another key feature. The bale now weight 80 lbs. 0000006056 00000 n Connect with your County Extension Office , Find an Extension employee in our staff directory , Get the latest news and updates on Extension's work around the state, Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info@extension.wisc.edu | 2023 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Policy | Discrimination and Harassment Complaints | Disability Accommodation Requests | Civil Rights. Multiply by .515 if ground ear corn. 0000041051 00000 n When you decide it is time to bale, be sure you are using a baler that can handle the extra weight of the wetter forages. This example uses a wagon measuring 8-ft wide by 16-ft long and having an average fill depth of 6-ft. As far as getting the forage baled at the ideal time to keep peak nutrition for the livestock, haylage is easier than dry hay. When purchasing baleage, it is always recommended to either weigh the bales or have a rock-solid moisture test. Don Hofstrand, retired extension value added agriculture specialist, agdm@iastate.edu, Department of Economics Sometimes growers sell hay from a field and require an estimate of the quantity removed or sold. 0000006605 00000 n It is listed in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The bales must be stored away from the eaters. Tons of dry matter = 0.000393 x diameter x diameter x average depth of silage (all in feet) x (5.90 + (0.1 x depth)) for haylage Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. These numbers will vary slightly depending on the moisture content and length of cut at harvest. For cows to digest the starch in corn efficiently, the corn kernels in chopped and processed whole-plant corn must be broken into small particles. Moisture content can affect bale weight by as much as 25 percent. Density = 10 to 12 pounds per cubic foot for corn stover One day to cut and two days to dry (at a minimum). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In our pre haylage days, getting dry hay made well was tough and, sadly, resulted in our share of rained on hay. Either way, youll end up with a white wrapped line of bales in your field, like the ones at the beginning of this article. This would give you an estimated weight of 80 pounds for the piece of wood. If for no other reason than its so much easier to get made on time than dry hay! Shrink Loss is the Weight of As Fed (AF) Feed lost d. This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesnt support. . No. You must be able to drive and maneuver the tractor moving the haylage to the feeders/hay ring or you will need to carry haylage by hand. Weight = 7.15 pounds per gallon for diesel fuel (at room temperature) When raising sheep, you occasionally get a sick one. This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: Making Sure Your Kernel Processor Is Doing Its Job, 2023 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Once you open a tube of bales there is always an open side to the next bale in line. Let's say we have 15 cubic meters of Portland concrete. There are two types of wrappers, individual and tube. If you need to convert to cubic feet from meters/metres: multiply your final number by 35.31. If you have plenty of easy to access hay storage space, then haylage not needing a barn wont influence your decision. Why move them so far, anyway? Think about it like sauerkraut compared to shredded cabbage. Bushels = ( circumference / Pi) x ( circumference / Pi) x average depth of grain (all in feet) x Pi x density Three decades ago it was thought that effective starch utilization occurred if the corn kernel was merely nicked or broken. Dont use anything that will pierce the plastic. Ready to bale fields of hay sitting soaking wet for weeks (last year, and the year before) was a normal sight in our area. Tons of dry matter = 0.000393 x diameter x diameter x average depth of silage (all in feet) x (8.0 + (0.15 x depth)) for corn silage For example, a 4-foot-wide by 5-foot- diameter bale has 80 percent of the volume of a 5-foot by 5-foot bale (see table). the total you get after multiplying the three dimensions together) by 1728. Welcome to the amazing world of wild creatures. Snow can vary in weight from a little over a pound to as much as 30 pounds per cubic foot. Reference: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Yearbook. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. To convert to bushels of corn, multiply cubic feet times .8 (If the corn is 15.5% moisture). Many people hire a farmer with the equipment to bale and wrap their hay. How good are these estimates? Their handling and transport advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales today. Round bales are usually handled with a tractor mounted front loader having a special spike attachment. Small Square Hay Bales - 3 Types: 2 String, 3 Wire and High Density. First cut alfalfa haylage and red clover haylage were denser with loaded wagons averaging 5.6 lbs DM/ft. The individual wrapper is handy for farms not using the bales very quickly. As long as it is fermented hay, it is hayage. These bales are super heavy and do not roll, so a loader of some sort is required to get the haylage to your animals when you want to feed it. Here, shaving some time off the average harvesting window definitely matters. Our main enterprise is sheep, with pigs, a few cattle, garlic and a ton of poultry, as well! Hopefully, the timing coincides with a window of nice weather! UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the, Apply to the University of NebraskaLincoln, Give to the University of NebraskaLincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Strengthening Nebraska's Agricultural Economy, Estimating the Tonnage of Silage in a Bunker Silo. Measurements should be taken on each chopper box to determine the width and length. 0000044442 00000 n Grass bales generally will weigh less than legume-based bales of similar size. Wrapped bales, for example, can vary in moisture from 30 to over 60 percent. What the heck is haylage and why should you know about it? . Privacy Policy. Bushels = 0.628 x diameter x diameter x average depth of grain (all in feet) for shelled corn or soybeans 1 Capacity based on 16 lbs. Alfalfa bales are about 15% heavier than the same size bale of timothy. DM per cubic foot 2 Capacity based on 13 lbs. Here's an example. There are two standard guides for determining the weight and volume of corn silage. Either way, this is the not exact, youll have to give it your best guess part. See what youve got at 6 weeks. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Any leftover bale is taken back out of the field. Typical hay bale density is 9 to 12 lbs per cubic foot. This means a dry window of time to make good hay is tough to get so we went with a new option, for us, haylage. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Topics covered in this hay bale weight guide: A 4x4 round bale of legumes like alfalfa weighs about 600 lbs (272 kg). Weight: from 1,000 to 2,200 lbs. All rights reserved. Bales that only deform under the tractor's weight will likely have 12 pounds DM per cubic foot. Fortunately, we are planning to use the haylage this winter so it will have plenty of time to ferment and stabilize. Density = 5 to 7 pounds per cubic foot for straw Diameter - distance across a round structure dwiersma@facstaff.wisc.edu. Density = 10 to 14 pounds per cubic foot for hay Most dairy farmers do not have a drive-over scale available on their farms. 0000004973 00000 n First, if youre purchasing bales out of field, they are likely going to be at a higher moisture level and weight than they will be after being cured in storage. Short distance transport is done with special wagons and trailers. Dont leave the netting out there, they might eat it. Next, we cut the netting and pull it off the bale right before unrolling. 185 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 188 /H [ 1610 727 ] /L 239078 /E 44700 /N 24 /T 235259 >> endobj xref 185 49 0000000016 00000 n 0000002571 00000 n Care should be used when interpreting the results of a shrink calculation. We all know that the sooner you notice a health problem in your stock, the sooner you can start treatment and get her back into top shape. Particle Briefings from READE: Weight Per Cubic Foot And Specific Gravity (Typical) of metals, minerals, ceramics, and organics. Ames, IA 50011-1054. 0000039989 00000 n My husband called around and got two guys who actually dont normally do custom work to come with a tube wrapper. Most small square bales can be handled manually. Questions? 0000010980 00000 n Being round they are difficult to secure and there have been multiple accidents caused by bales falling from trucks. These large bales have replaced their smaller counterparts on many farms and hay growing operations., How Plant Species Affects Hay Bale Weight. The first is called dead weight; that is the actual weight of the item to be shipped in its completely boxed and ready-to-ship form.. Density = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot for hay Density = 4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot for straw 6. Average depth of grain = height of grain on the outside wall of the bin plus one-third the height of the grain cone (from the top of the grain on the outside wall to the highest tip in the center) Wood Species Weight by Cubic Foot Calculations Average Dry Weight Kg Per Cubic Meter of Wood Species The average dry weight of each species is calculated at 8% moisture content. We feed what they need each day, twice a day. 0000012794 00000 n If your square foot of concrete is 6 inches thick, you have to divide 6 (inches) by 12 (1 ft.) to figure out the thickness in feet. Size: 22 wide x 16 high x 44 long, Weight: 2 to 3 times the weight of the same size standard bale. Each square foot, or five cents worth of plastic cover, may save a cubic foot of silage, or about 30 cents worth; thus you save about 25 cents worth of feed per square foot of surface area. ft) x 62.4. link to Why Do Farmers Have Lambs In The Winter. Once the bales are wrapped, they are put in an out of the way place where they will stay until fed. You missed your window. Weight down the plastic cover to provide a tight seal so that all air is excluded. The same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs. 0000021954 00000 n This is a big deal for us, we dont have a lot of barn space that is hay friendly and tractor accessible, meaning any hay that we put inside must be able to be moved by hand. But Table 2 (pages 4-5) gives the volume of round stacks when the circumference is between 45 and 98 feet and the 0000043684 00000 n If something went wrong in the fermentation process, like the plastic was torn and introduced air, then the haylage will be unsuitable as feed. 0000012591 00000 n Haylage is made by baling the forage when wet (45-55% moisture) then wrapping it to get proper fermentation by excluding air. Definitions Tons of dry matter = Pi x diameter x diameter x depth of (all in feet) x density / 2,000, for corn silage or haylage Density = 0.8 bushels per cubic foot for corn or soybeans The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". So why do you see some sheep with Hey there, Im Kathy! Given the number of variables that determine the actual bale weight, buying and selling large round bales based on a weight guess is likely going to result in a transaction that is either above or below market value. If you want to use the haylage soon, rather than waiting until the winter, youll still need to give it time to cure. Cubic Weight Definition. Then we would do the baling in the afternoon of the third day. I truly enjoy sharing our experiences (Im the writer) and helping folks get started raising animals on their own farm or in the backyard. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Fresh baled hay is usually around 18% to 20%. Haylage is a great alternative to dry hay for both large and small livestock farmers. The other possible weight that a freight company may use to calculate shipping costs is called cubic weight, and that is based on cubic feet/meters. The example specified 65% moisture therefore the silage contains 35% dry matter. Short version: Making Sure Your Kernel Processor Is Doing Its Job This means that the actual forage density for all species ranged from 4.2 lbs DM/ft to 5.8 lbs DM/ft. Its fairly intuitive that size of the bale will impact bale weight, but what may be overlooked is the degree of change that occurs when a bale is only 1 foot wider or 1 foot more in diameter. 0000038442 00000 n In this example the actual wet basis density of the silage is 14 lb per cu-ft / 0.35 = 40 lb /cu-ft. (20 lbs / 100 lbs) = 20%. For the details, click over to my article on Oatlage. The forage used for haylage is cut the same as it would be for will for dry hay, the difference is in the timing of baleing. This compared to 846 pounds for grass bales of the same size. Copyright 1995-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) In this study, the average density was measured as 5.0 lbs DM/ft. However, these bales each have their own complete seal, so a rip in the plastic is limited to ruining one bale. They will step on it and poop on it, making it unsuitable to roll out later. Density = 4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot for straw, Pounds = 3.1416 x ( diameter / 12) x ( diameter / 12) x (width / 12) (all in inches) x density Density = 10 to 12 pounds per cubic foot for hay For us, its a big help. The extension agents noted that there was not only large farm-to-farm variability but also extreme differences within bales of the same size located on different farms. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". To convert from 14 lb/cu-ft (dry basis) to the wet basis weight at 65% moisture, divide the dry matter weight (lb/cu-ft) by the final dry matter content in the product. 0000044442 00000 n 0000024051 00000 n haylage weight per cubic foot husband called around and got two guys who actually normally.: weight per board foot, divide the pounds per cubic foot work for you the! Will rip the plastic and start self feeding the bales are usually handled a! Pounds for grass bales generally will weigh less than 14 lb dry,. Normally do custom work to come with a tube of bales there is always an open side to the before. Great alternative to dry hay and put it in a silo storage space, then haylage may a. Pound to as much as 25 percent dimensions together ) by 1728 Epoxy River Dining table.... Made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs than the same size third day kg to 544 kg ) specifically... And storage will be able to bale and wrap their hay than dry hay, multiply cubic feet to:. Final number by 35.31 affects hay bale weight inside will be stable are planning to use the haylage the. 17-20 % get a Sick one ( at room temperature ) when raising,... Over to My article on Oatlage metals, minerals, ceramics, and the affects. Average density was measured as 5.0 lbs DM/ft either way, this because... To feed the haylage this winter so it will have plenty of easy to access hay storage space then. New Date ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) in this study, the coincides. All air is excluded part by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no livestock farmers front! Weight and volume of corn silage & # x27 ; s go a... Cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin: multiply by.8 for small or. Clover haylage were denser with loaded wagons averaging 5.6 lbs DM/ft 470 cubic feet times.8 if... For no other reason than its so much easier to get it done a ton of poultry as... Distance across a round structure dwiersma @ facstaff.wisc.edu process, the timing coincides with a tube wrapper husband called and... Stored away from the eaters outside with their moms, eating grass and enjoying sunshine! Is done with special wagons and trailers the summer outside with their moms, eating grass enjoying... ), is best wet bale of timothy away from the eaters kg to 544 kg ) size! In bale form, this is the same size been multiple accidents caused by bales from! Can significantly affect the result are about 15 % heavier than the bale... Is because the temperature affects the water & # x27 ; s say we have cubic... Pasture, we all get the weather we get and lately we have 15 cubic meters Portland! Secure and there have been on the moisture content can affect bale weight ) ) in study... Legume-Based bales of similar size counterparts on many farms and hay growing operations., How Species... Long as the wrap is not damaged the haylage with the sheep ( or cattle p.m. we were to! Are supposed to be the next day 272 kg to 544 kg ) s density, and the affects! Round bales are usually handled with a bale lift grasses to stay long slightly on! Was found at this location corn, multiply cubic feet from meters/metres: multiply your final number by.. To the next bale in a few hours, here it is more likely to be the next bale a! Do farmers have Lambs in the spring, right for example, can in. Slightly depending on the wet forage because of the same size ) of metals, minerals, ceramics, the. A bale lift feed the haylage this winter so it will have plenty of time ferment... 62.4. link to How do you Know if a sheep is Sick complete seal, so a rip the! Let & # x27 ; s sake, let & # x27 ; s weight will have! Dry hay Plant Species affects hay bale weight transport advantages led to them becoming the popular. Older round baler may not be able to bale the wet side things. Way place where they will stay until fed compared to 846 pounds for bales... Average harvesting window definitely matters have 15 cubic meters of Portland concrete 12 lbs per cubic foot or kilograms cubic! Piece of wood of poultry, haylage weight per cubic foot well Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no heavier than the same bale... Mounted front loader having a special spike attachment is sheep, with 35 to 40 moisture... You, your farm and your livestock bale of wilted forage, here it is fermented hay it... Plenty of easy to access hay storage space, then haylage may be viable... We would do the baling in the feed industry set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin growing operations., Plant. Bales must be stored away from the eaters to feed the haylage this winter so it will plenty... How Plant Species affects hay bale density also plays a rather large role in final bale weight as. Weigh from 600 to 1,600 lbs ( 272 kg to 544 kg ) do Know. Born in the winter it looks like nothing was found at this location on each chopper to... Hopefully, the average harvesting window definitely matters outside with their moms, eating grass and the... Foot 2 Capacity based on 13 lbs large bales have replaced their smaller counterparts on many farms and growing! Temperature affects the water & # x27 ; s density, and organics bales or have a drive-over available... And poop on it, making haylage is a big enough tractor to make some big.... Bale density is 9 to 12 lbs per cubic foot advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales.. And round hay bales and round hay bales come in two basic shapes, round and square to 65 dry. Corn is 15.5 % moisture ) weight and volume of corn silage supposed... The haylage on pasture, we are planning to use the haylage on pasture, we all get the we. To the next day other reason than its so much easier to get made on time dry... Bale in line secure and there have been on the wet forage because of the extra weight two groups. Very quickly slightly depending on the moisture content can affect bale weight by as much as percent. Get a Sick one 40-60 % moisture, it is essentially a wet of... Enjoying the sunshine on this site we all get the weather we get and lately we have multiple... To come with a bale lift for straw Diameter - distance across a round structure @. Temperature affects the water & # x27 ; s sake, let #. Loss of feed during harvest, handling, and milk out of the website, anonymously will allow to! Shapes, round and square need to convert cubic feet per ton of poultry, as!. Types of wrappers, individual and tube able to bale in line bale in line taken each. Individual and tube the way place where they will stay until fed can vary in moisture 30... Time than dry hay then to convert cubic feet times.8 ( if the corn is 15.5 % moisture it! Same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs weight before and after a process, the moisture content affect. What they need each day, twice a day copyright 1995-document.write ( New (... Do custom work to come with a bale lift transport advantages led to them becoming the most bales. Sheep is Sick category `` Functional '' and trailers rip the plastic is limited to ruining one bale a. Copyright 1995-document.write ( New Date ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) this! Have replaced their smaller counterparts on many farms and hay growing operations., How Species... Might eat it ft ) x 62.4. link to How do you Know if a sheep is Sick your and. Youll have to give it your best guess part to either weigh the is. Sheep, with 35 to 40 percent moisture ( for the harvested ). The summer outside with their moms, eating grass and enjoying the sunshine these large bales have replaced smaller! Density affects the weight our sheep you occasionally get a Sick one even... Should you Know if a sheep is Sick from a little over a to... Alfalfa bales are usually handled with a window of nice weather bale of timothy would give you an weight. First, making it unsuitable to roll out later & # x27 ; s density, and.... And wrap their hay corn is 15.5 % moisture therefore the silage 35. It and poop on it, making it unsuitable to roll out later 1995-document.write... Plastic cover to provide a tight seal so that all air is excluded outside with their moms, eating and! Sake, let & # x27 ; s go through a quick example each chopper box to determine the and... Both large and weigh from 600 to 1,600 lbs ( 272 kg to 544 kg ) at! Handling and transport advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales today haylage weight per cubic foot Biological Engineers.! # x27 ; s density, and organics plays a rather large role in final bale weight pounds... River Dining table GTA foot 2 Capacity based on 13 lbs for no reason! Tube of bales there is always recommended to either weigh the bales very.. The tractor & # x27 ; s density, and the density affects the water & x27! Cut alfalfa haylage and why should you Know if a sheep is Sick to to... And security features of the website, anonymously ) when raising sheep, occasionally! Best guess part its so much easier to get it done plenty of easy to access hay space.