How much does a bale of alfalfa weigh?
- If you have the equipment, round bales are easy to move around a pasture;
- You get a better price per ton on round bales than square bales;
- Round bales are an easy way to free-feed hay to horses;
How much alfalfa should farmers seed?
There are several factors to consider regarding seeding rates:
- Moisture . If the soil will not have much moisture later in the year (especially sandy soils), lower seeding rates will reduce competition for moisture among the seedlings. ...
- Soil conditions. Low soil fertility or acid soils will require higher seeding rates to insure that enough seedlings survive. ...
- Species and variety. ...
How much alfalfa do you feed an adult horse?
However, if alfalfa cubes are fed to an adult horse at maintenance, they are usually more appropriate as a partial hay replacement as they contain more protein and calcium than required. More commonly, 2-6 lbs are fed per horse per day, especially if the hay available is poor quality.
When is alfalfa dry enough to bale?
The recommended time to bale hay is based primarily on moisture content of the hay. It is recommended to bale alfalfa when moisture is between 18 and 20%. Baling at a lower moisture will result in excessive leaf loss, while baling at a higher moisture may result in spoilage form mold and heat unless a preservative or artificial drying is used.
How much is a bale of hay?
Small square bales averaged $4.60 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $64.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 to $90.00). Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 - $85.00). In Nebraska, hay sold steady, demand is light in 2020.
What is alfalfa hay worth?
Over the past five months, the average price of alfalfa hay seems to have settled between about $210 and $215 dollars per ton, according to USDA's Agricultural Prices report.
How much does a 1200 pound bale of hay cost?
As you can see, the cost or value of the primary nutrients in a typical bermudagrass round bale is $20.30. If you add to this the cost of baling, about $15 per round bale, then your cost for a 1,200-pound round bale is now $35.30.
How much is a 50 lb bale of alfalfa?
Compare Similar ItemsThis Item - Ametza Compressed Alfalfa Hay Bale Horse Forage, 50-lb bale Add to CartCustomer RatingRated 2.7619 out of 5 stars 21Price$29.95Autoship$28.45Top IngredientsAlfalfa Hay.5 more rows
Why is alfalfa so expensive?
Alfalfa hay, in particular, has become more expensive. Because of greater pressure for land use, the amount of land devoted to alfalfa has declined by nearly 4 million acres since 1995. Not surprisingly, as alfalfa supplies have become tighter, its cost has risen by nearly 50 percent in the last 20 years.
How many bales of hay does a cow need for winter?
For a cow needing 8,190 pounds of hay per year and a bale weight of 960 pounds, divide 8,190 by 960 for a yearly need of about 8.5 bales per cow. Multiply this by the total number of weaned cattle in your herd. For example, 45 cows multiplied by 8.5 bales per cow results in a total need of 383 bales.
Is selling hay profitable?
He says it costs about $297 per acre to seed and prepare hay ground. “You are going to get more than three years out of that, but if we use three years, that's about $100 per acre per year,” Brown says. “If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre.
How much does a bale of alfalfa weigh?
A 4'x4' round bale of legumes like alfalfa weighs about 600 lbs (272 kg). A 4'x5' bale weighs 950 lbs (430 kg). A 5'x5' bale weighs 1,200 lbs (540 kg) and a 5'x6' bale weighs 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
How much hay will an acre grow?
Even an average rule of thumb can vary widely by region, soil, and type of hay. For us here in the Midwest, a mixed grass/legume hay can yield anywhere from one to five tons per acre for a full season.
Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?
In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall, you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it.
How big is a 50 lb hay bale?
Product informationProduct Dimensions24 x 12 x 16 inchesItem Weight50 poundsManufacturerSTANDLEE HAY COMPANYASINB00R1P1IPSItem model number1500-20021-0-02 more rows
How long does a bale of hay last for one horse?
In general, a standard 40 lb. square bale of hay lasts one horse for about 3.5 days. But many factors such as age, workload, type of hay, and access to pasture grass affect how much they eat. I find most horses eat between 10-15 pounds of hay each day.
How much does alfalfa hay cost in Arizona?
On average, you can expect to pay between $10 and $18 for alfalfa and between $14 and $20 for Bermuda grass hay in Arizona. At Conway Feed, alfalfa hay is available for $10-13.50 and Bermuda grass hay for $15. From the hay market, square bales, on average, will cost you between $3 and $10 per bale, but some farmers prefer selling their hay per ...
How much does it cost to harvest hay?
Depending on the type, quality, place of harvest, and size of hay bales, you should expect to pay something between $30 and $300 per ton of hay. If you want hay to contain alfalfa or Bermuda grass, then it will be more expensive.
How often should I buy hay for my horse?
Most of the time, horse owners buy tons of hay and store it over months or even years to provide good nutrition to horses all year round. And even if you prefer to purchase hay every month, you still need to buy large amounts at once for your horses.
How to choose the best hay for horses?
Keep in mind when you are choosing hay to check its maturity, nutritional content, softness, and smell. If hay smells sweet, then it will be more palatable, and your horses will eat and enjoy it more. They also like softer types of hay more than those with a lot of stems. To match their dietary needs, you might need both legume and grass hay, then mix them in bags for feed. For overweight horses, hay cut in late maturity is better than less mature cuts.
What is the best feed for horses?
Hay is one of the most common feed for horses. It provides high nutritive content, is widely available, and horses enjoy it. Grass or legumes are cut and dried, resulting in the delicious and versatile feed. Most of the time, horse owners buy tons of hay and store it over months or even years to provide good nutrition to horses all year round.
When is the best time to buy hay?
Time of the year. During the fall and winter, hay is not in high demand, so there will also be fewer options. Buying right before the start of the season is best. Quality of hay. Bales of hay have different contents. Some of them can have only grass hay or only legume hay, but there are also mixed varieties.
Is hay sold by the ton?
However, the majority of farmers will sell their hay by the ton. Besides the type of hay affecting the price, the grade of the crop is also an important factor, with the first variety being the most expensive among other varieties of the same plant.
How much does bale hay cost in Arizona?
The average cost of bale hay in Arizona ranges from $5 to $10 per standard square bale, with some sellers charging prices as high as $16-18 or more per alfalfa bale.Arizona can be hit or miss from year to year.
How much does hay cost in Arkansas?
Arkansas is a state located in the Southern region of the United States. The average cost of square bale hay in Arkansas ranges from $4 to $8 per square bale , with some sellers charging prices as high as $11-15 or more per alfalfa bale.
What is legume hay?
Legumes are a plant family that includes alfalfa, clover, and birdsfoot trefoil hay. Legume hay is higher in protein than grass-based hays such as timothy or oat straws. This increased concentration of the amino acid arginine leads to an increase in energy for horses eating legume fodder; however it can also lead to problems with obesity if they consume too much food at once – especially during summer months when feeding limits may be lower due to heat stress on animals who do not have access to fresh water sources like rivers or lakes where they can take dips from time-to-time while grazing.”
What is the best food for horses?
Alfalfa hay is the most common legume for horses, and one of the more popular choices in America. If you are looking to feed your horse some high-quality food that will provide plenty of nutrients as well as ample fiber, protein, and calcium then alfalfa might be a great option!
What is Timothy hay?
Timothy hay, the go-to for most horse owners and their equine friends alike. Timothy is typically a finer textured grass than other types of hays which means it has higher protein content but also better balance in nutrients such as calcium and fiber.
Is brome grass a good hay?
Brome grass is a common hay in Colorado, but it’s not often seen by people west of the Rockies. It has a different appearance from timothy and orchard hays as well–its leaves are wider with more variety in their color. Though brome lacks calcium when compared to legume-based hay, its high protein content makes this one worth considering for livestock that needs just some extra energy before winter comes around again!
Do you want hay for a horse?
If all your horse gets is hay then yes you will want a higher quality hay most of the time if you are riding them. We cycle where we get higher quality hay in the winter time like a 2nd cutting and first cutting that is more like a filler in the summer time.