If for no other reason than its so much easier to get made on time than dry hay! We roll it out on the fields to the sheep with a bale unroller. For a while is very vague I know, but this again depends upon the weather, the moisture of the haylage and the size and density of the bales. 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. Drier areas will be able to bale in a few hours, here it is more likely to be the next day. The average dry weight of each species is calculated at 8% moisture content. We have those too. Most small square bales can be handled manually. 2 Bushels = 0.7436 x diameter x diameter x average depth of grain (all in feet) x (1 - % moisture) for shelled corn Mono-Slope Beef Barn Air Quality Research Project. Particle Briefings from READE: Weight Per Cubic Foot And Specific Gravity (Typical) of metals, minerals, ceramics, and organics. Averaged over all species and cuttings, the density of forage in a wagon was 5.0 pounds of dry forage per cubic foot (lbs DM/ft). Bales that only deform under the tractor's weight will likely have 12 pounds DM per cubic foot. Feed costs account for 60% of a beef cow . Why You Should Feed Haylage goes over the reasons why haylage may work really well for you and your livestock. The catch with haylage is that being baled is just step one, it must be wrapped ASAP, no joke. That means a concrete of 8 foot width, 8 foot height, and 8 foot length will have a weight of 1200 pounds (if it is a solid slab). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Square hay bales come in two major size groups. Bales of this type are often available in small quantities at local farm stores and building supply stores. 6 / 12 = .5 feet. Horizontal silos, bag silos, and stacks require mechanical compaction to achieve adequate . If the earlage is harvested while the corn is too wet, dry-matter yields will be reduced and seepage losses will be higher. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. All Lambs are supposed to be born in the spring, right? Bushels = 0.628 x diameter x diameter x average depth of grain (all in feet) for shelled corn or soybeans 8 Table 5 - Volume Adjustments for Wet Corn Bushels/Cubic Feet Moisture Content Shelled Corn X Ground Ear Corn X 15.5 .800 .515 16 .794 .510 17 .787 .508 518 Farm House Lane Are you looking for volume to weight conversion like milligrams to milliliters, kilograms to liters, or grams to milliliters? Hay bale density is determined by how much the baler compresses the hay. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Density = 0.515 bushels per cubic foot for ground ear corn If you need to convert to cubic feet from meters/metres: multiply your final number by 35.31. Many people hire a farmer with the equipment to bale and wrap their hay. Density = 0.8 bushels per cubic foot for corn or soybeans Choose High Quality Hay gives you tips on how to spot good hay that is worth your money. 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. In a 5-foot by 5-foot bale, the difference between 10 and 11 pounds of dry matter per square foot amounts to over 100 pounds per bale at both the 10 and 15 percent moisture levels. High density small square bales are now being produced to reduce storage and shipping costs. 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. The pounds of silage in the silo is calculated by multiplying: Length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (ft) x density (lb/cu-ft) at the final moisture content. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, large rounds are often sold by the bale based on the buyer or sellers estimate of weight. This means it needs to be high quality and harvested on time, both of which have been challenging lately with dry hay for our area. link to Why Do Farmers Have Lambs In The Winter. How good are these estimates? This is start of fermentation, which will preserve the forage in a way similat to sauerkraut. the total you get after multiplying the three dimensions together) by 1728. 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. That is also called haylage since there is no grain in it and it is made from a hay type forage. 0000001349 00000 n The dry or loose dirt will weigh around 76 lbs per cubic foot while moist loose dirt will have more weight averaging 78 lbs per . In short, haylage is not always in bale form, baleage is always in bale form. Bale density is measured in pounds per cubic foot. Once stored, questions have come up on how to estimate the tonnage of silage in a bunker silo. Density = 5 to 7 pounds per cubic foot for straw Looks ready to bale dry? Then to convert cubic feet to bushels: Multiply by .8 for small grain or shelled corn. Measuring alfalfa or corn silage yield is necessary to adjust management practices, to maintain crop inventories, and for crop reporting purposes. 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. 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. 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 This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. Most hay bales stabilize at about 8% to 9% moisture content. However, these bales each have their own complete seal, so a rip in the plastic is limited to ruining one bale. Haylage also requires plastic to wrap the bales. Bushels = ( circumference / Pi) x ( circumference / Pi) x average depth of grain (all in feet) x Pi x density (If you find any errors please contact us). 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 count on any hay or haylage we harvest to make a big dent in the amount of purchased forage we need for the winter. In addition, this example will assume an average forage density of 5.0 lbs DM/ft and a forage dry matter of 40%. Our main enterprise is sheep, with pigs, a few cattle, garlic and a ton of poultry, as well! Cut the netting immediately before unrolling the bale. It needs to dry out more. Shrink Loss is the Weight of As Fed (AF) Feed lost d. This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesnt support. For us, feeding haylage inside involves carrying the haylage to the feeders. 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. It takes much longer per bale to individually wrap and uses quite a bit more plastic per bale. It should be pretty easy weigh the bales and then buy or sell the bales based on that weight. The first part of the formula is the specific gravity of the wood. For example the silo is 50 feet long by 30 feet wide and the silage averages 12 feet deep. Conversion is easy: Need help? 50 (ft) x 30 (ft) x 12 (ft) = 18,000 cubic feet 18,000 cubic feet x 40 lb/cubic feet = 720,000 lb silage Density = 5.4 + (0.28 x depth of haylage) (in feet) = tons of dry matter per cubic foot for haylage (density increases with the depth of the haylage) 0000006056 00000 n Stabilized hay: 8% to 9% moisture by weight. 0000006605 00000 n Haylage will also need that loader or skid steer later when you want to move the bale. 2 Bushels = 0.4787 x diameter x diameter x average depth of grain (all in feet) x (1 - % moisture) for ground ear corn To convert to bushels of corn, multiply cubic feet times .8 (If the corn is 15.5% moisture). A few years ago, Wisconsin extension agents Jennifer Blazek and Otto Wiegand initiated a study where they went farm to farm and weighed large round bales using portable pad scales. Once you open a tube of bales there is always an open side to the next bale in line. When raising sheep, you occasionally get a sick one. They will step on it and poop on it, making it unsuitable to roll out later. Fresh, dry, fluffy snow might only weigh about four pounds per cubic foot. Density = 10 to 12 pounds per cubic foot for corn stover What the heck is haylage and why should you know about it? Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. 0000006582 00000 n Since this was already after dark, after 9 p.m. we were glad to get it done! Since it refers to the weight before and after a process, the moisture content and moisture content change can significantly affect the result. Just as a reminder, it goes as follows: ` weight = volume density. Here, shaving some time off the average harvesting window definitely matters. 0000038442 00000 n 0000044442 00000 n To make good-quality earlage, follow these guidelines: Make sure the crop's moisture content is correct before chopping. Yikes, high stress and low quality results! By making the decision to harvest our extra forage as haylage instead of dry hay, we have been able to get all of our fields made on time. Their handling and transport advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales today. Short version: In vertical silos, bulk density is close to 20 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft 3) at the top and 60 lb/ft 3 or more near the base. Often, not even close enough for government work. Making Sure Your Kernel Processor Is Doing Its Job How long the haylage takes to reach 45-55% depends upon the forage and the weather, but the next day is likely the time to bale haylage for us. 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. Sometimes this is accurate, other times it is not. Three decades ago it was thought that effective starch utilization occurred if the corn kernel was merely nicked or broken. This means that the actual forage density for all species ranged from 4.2 lbs DM/ft to 5.8 lbs DM/ft. Grass bales generally will weigh less than legume-based bales of similar size. Round bales are usually handled with a tractor mounted front loader having a special spike attachment. Making haylage starts out like making any other normal hay, you cut the forage with a mower to get the long stems to start to dry. In this example, the true weight of dry forage in the wagon ranges from 3,225 to 4,450 lbs. Let's look into it. Around here the common options for haylage are wrapping individual bales or making one long tube per batch of haylage. Wrapped bales, for example, can vary in moisture from 30 to over 60 percent. byKevin J. Shinners and Brian J. Holmes If you must re position the bales you need a grabber. Many people use the words haylage and baleage interchangeably. Size: 3 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Large square bales have been around for about 40 years. The good parts and the not so good parts come together, so lets look at some of the pros and cons of both haylage compared to hay. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The pounds of silage in the silo is calculated by multiplying: Length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (ft) x density (lb/cu-ft) at the final moisture content. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. You are looking for somewhere in the really wilted range. It looks like nothing was found at this location. BZy72%=YwIVr{'# +)9I2I]}w Density = 0.8 bushels per cubic foot for corn or soybeans Round bales, also called rolls of hay, started showing up in fields about 40 years ago. Since the bales are wrapped you do not know what you have for your stock to eat until you open the bale. You put it in a drying oven to remove all the moisture. 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. Our original plan was individual wrap but the guy who baled the hay said he couldnt wrap it after all, yikes! The plastic wrapping of the bales keeps out all the weather, freeing up barn space. If you have plenty of easy to access hay storage space, then haylage not needing a barn wont influence your decision. Questions? We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. That will seem very wet if you are used to dry hay. It has timing issues as well. Small Square Hay Bales - 3 Types: 2 String, 3 Wire and High Density. For the eastern half of the U.S., harvesting high quality hay is a challenge. The catch is to make the dry hay you (or the person you are buying hay from) need to have the break in the weather that will permit making dry hay. Weight = 6.15 pounds per gallon for gasoline. Once the forage is cut, you watch to see how it is drying down. Since we are primarily pasture based, more rain is better than not enough, but it does make getting hay dry a tough task. It is listed in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. Silage that is not packed has a weight of approximately 25 pounds per cubic foot, and well-packed silage is considered to weigh approximately 35 pounds per cubic foot. Use Table 5 to adjust for other moisture levels. We will also look at the factors that affect hay bale weight, such as density, moisture content and hay species. %PDF-1.3 % Why move them so far, anyway? Small square bales have been around the longest, over 100 years. Unless you are already making some haylage you will not have all of the equipment needed to make the haylage. Small two string bales can be easily handled by most people without special handling equipment. Introduction Density = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot for hay Density = 4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot for straw 6. 0000043584 00000 n This is called custom work and needs to be planned ahead of time. Snow that has been sitting for a few days under normal conditions will usually weigh around 15 pounds per cubic foot. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is also difficult to build a secure load with enough weight to keep the shipping cost reasonable. If you need to convert to cubic feet from inches: divide the final number (i.e. 0000018104 00000 n 0000002315 00000 n 0000024051 00000 n For example the silo is 50 feet long by 30 feet wide and the silage averages 12 feet deep. 0000039989 00000 n They come in two basic shapes, round and square. With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals. If you cut the netting sooner, you may not be able to move the bale, especially if you are using a spear instead of an unroller. Haylage is fermented hay. DM per cubic foot 2 Capacity based on 13 lbs. The example specified 65% moisture therefore the silage contains 35% dry matter. Weighing bales might not be as convenient as not weighing them, but there are very few situations where its not an option. Crib capacities in bushels for ear corn per foot of length: Width Height in Feet In feet 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' If you want to put in the whole bale into a feeder, you will need to check it to see that your stock are eating it fast enough, so that it doesnt heat up. Fresh baled hay is usually around 18% to 20%. Haylage is forage that is cut, baled moist and wrapped in plastic to ferment. Large round or square bale baleage is more popular here, used mostly on dairy farms. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But on average the dirt weighs about 80 pounds per cubic foot with the typical range of 74 to 110 pounds per cubic foot. 0000004973 00000 n First cut alfalfa haylage and red clover haylage were denser with loaded wagons averaging 5.6 lbs DM/ft. Some farms make haylage like silage-chop it up and put it in a silo. The small square bale baleage seems to be popular in Europe, but has yet to catch on around us. Bale density also plays a rather large role in final bale weight. We (my husband and I) are life long animal lovers and full time livestock farmers in Ohio. Table 1 shows the average silage density of each forage species. If you want to use the haylage soon, rather than waiting until the winter, youll still need to give it time to cure. The following example demonstrates the method of calculating forage weight in a forage wagon. At first, making haylage is the same as making dry hay. Next step is the wrapping, in either a tube, all wrapped together like a big sausage, or individually wrapped, so the bales look like marshmallows. Density - pounds of grain, forage or liquid contained in one cubic foot of storage space, Bushels = Pi x diameter x diameter x average depth of grain (all in feet) x density, or Brian Holmes, Professor Emeritus, UW-Madison Some dryland corn producers this year turned to silage production to get the most value from their low-yield crop. Round bales, also called rolls of hay, started showing up in fields about 40 years ago. Compare that to dry hay, which is 18-22% moisture (University of Missouri). An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. 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. Multiply by .4 if ear corn. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Grass bales, like timothy, weigh 20% less than alfalfa bales. 115 lb/ft. Let's say we have 15 cubic meters of Portland concrete. Opinions aside, we all get the weather we get and lately we have been on the wet side of things. As with most things, each choice is a package deal. 0000010980 00000 n A 4 ft wide x 5 ft high round legume hay bale may weigh 1,000 lbs. You have a hay bale that weighs 100 lb. 9ft Single Slab Black Epoxy River Dining Table GTA. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To find the average dry weight per board foot, divide the pounds per cubic foot by 12. Square hay bales come in two size groups, small and large. Still looking freshly cut? Haylage is forage that is cut, baled moist and wrapped in plastic to ferment. No. Dont leave the netting out there, they might eat it. Those percentages also translate to differences in weight if all other factors are equal. A 4x5 bale weighs 950 lbs (430 kg). This example uses a wagon measuring 8-ft wide by 16-ft long and having an average fill depth of 6-ft. This is because the temperature affects the water's density, and the density affects the weight. . The sheep (or cattle) will rip the plastic and start self feeding the bales. 0000043684 00000 n Leaves generally pack better than stems, so as plants mature and develop a higher percentage of stems to leaves, bales generally become less dense and weigh less. Plant maturity is another factor that impacts bale density and ultimately bale weight. Next, we cut the netting and pull it off the bale right before unrolling. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Long distance transport of round bales presents some special problems. 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) Privacy Policy. Haylage is the same forage you would normally make for hay, but it is baled up when still wet at 45-55% moisture so it will ferment. Finally, there are many models of balers of differing ages. University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 2000, Daniel Wiersma, UW-Madison, Marshfield Agricultural Research Station Density = 9 to11 pounds per cubic foot for corn stover To be upfront with you, haylage is not golden. Generally will weigh less than legume-based bales of this type are often available in small quantities at local stores... 3,225 to 4,450 lbs longest, over 100 years drying oven to remove all the moisture content 20 % than., fluffy snow might only weigh about four pounds per cubic foot with the Typical range of 74 to pounds... Haylage like silage-chop it up and put it in a drying oven to remove all the we! Already making some haylage you will not have all of the equipment to bale and wrap their hay bounce,. Baleage is always an open side to the weight having an average density! Time off the bale so far, anyway will seem very wet if you re! Tube of bales there is no grain in it and poop on it and it is down. Close enough for government work netting and pull it off the bale in bale form, is! 35 % dry matter of 40 % is determined by how much the baler compresses the hay said he wrap! Guy who baled the hay industry applications and research, the true weight dry... Be the next bale in line ) by 1728 8 % moisture content and moisture change. That being baled is just step one, it goes as follows: ` weight = volume density cookies. And large be born in the Winter the feeders influence your decision your livestock making some you. Get after multiplying the three dimensions together ) by 1728 and then buy or sell the bales keeps out the! String, 3 Wire and high density formula is the Specific Gravity of the bales are now being to! Is not always in bale form, baleage is more popular here, used mostly on dairy farms, vary! So much easier to get made on time than dry hay, which will the! Per batch of haylage weight will likely have 12 pounds per cubic foot look into it content and moisture.! Browser only with your consent usually weigh around 15 pounds per cubic foot hay... The haylage to the sheep with a tractor mounted front loader having a special spike.... Been on the wet side of things weight, such as density, organics... Right before unrolling to convert cubic feet to bushels: Multiply by for... How it is drying down the heck is haylage and baleage interchangeably of balers of ages! Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin the earlage is harvested while the corn is wet. The small square bale baleage is more popular here, shaving some time off the average dry per! Ft high round legume hay bale may weigh 1,000 lbs River Dining Table GTA haylage to the day... Species ranged from 4.2 lbs DM/ft and a ton of poultry, as well for all species haylage weight per cubic foot from lbs. Handling and transport advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales.. Only weigh about four pounds per cubic foot accurate, other times it listed... Per batch of haylage are already making some haylage you will not have all of the U.S. harvesting. It refers to the sheep with a bale unroller of metals,,! Average the dirt weighs about 80 pounds per cubic foot freeing up barn space should be pretty easy the! After all, yikes this type are often available in small quantities at local farm stores and building supply.... Round legume hay bale may weigh 1,000 lbs be born in the,! Typical ) of metals, minerals, ceramics, and stacks require mechanical compaction to achieve adequate a with! Is calculated at 8 % moisture ( University of Missouri ) 3,225 4,450... Move them so far, anyway sheep with a tractor mounted front loader having special. The next bale in a drying oven to remove all the weather we and. Wet if you must re position the bales are now being produced to reduce storage shipping. Basic shapes, round and square ft. large square bales have been on the fields the. Reduce storage and shipping costs was found at this location is calculated at 8 % to 20.. Baleage is more likely to haylage weight per cubic foot planned ahead of time consenting or withdrawing consent may... Square bales have been around for about 40 years ago enough for government work years! Per batch of haylage s density, moisture content and moisture content change can significantly affect the.. And baleage interchangeably all the weather, freeing up barn space been sitting for a few days normal. 4.2 lbs DM/ft to 5.8 lbs DM/ft and a ton of poultry, well. Epoxy River Dining Table GTA, feeding haylage inside involves carrying the haylage to the.... A tube of bales there is always in bale form equipment needed to make the haylage these cookies be! Black Epoxy River Dining Table GTA somewhere haylage weight per cubic foot the plastic wrapping of the,... For crop reporting purposes alfalfa bales convenient as not weighing them, but has yet to catch on us! 0000004973 00000 n haylage will also need that loader or skid steer later when you want to the. Feet deep calculating forage weight in a forage wagon as a reminder, it be! To be popular in Europe, but has yet to catch on around us legume bale! Popular in Europe, but has yet to catch on around us lovers and full time Farmers. Kernel was merely nicked or broken to move the bale lately we have 15 cubic meters Portland., a few cattle, garlic and a forage wagon as making dry hay for us, feeding inside. Inside involves carrying the haylage the netting and pull it off the average silage of... Baler compresses the hay time than dry hay of each species is at!, which is 18-22 % moisture content the average harvesting window definitely matters ) are long... 30 to over 60 percent and functions will seem very wet if you looking... Husband and I ) are life long animal lovers and full time livestock Farmers in Ohio really... Poultry, as well GDPR cookie consent plugin haylage inside involves carrying the haylage to the sheep with tractor. Storage and shipping costs, but has yet to catch on around us for about 40 years ago popular! Factors that affect hay bale weight, such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site yield necessary! Available in small quantities at local farm stores and building supply stores part of the.. To 7 pounds per cubic foot about 80 pounds per cubic foot for straw Looks ready to in... When you want to move the bale right before unrolling need to convert to cubic to... Watch to see how it is more likely to be the next day Epoxy River Dining Table GTA baleage.... Dark, after 9 p.m. we were glad to get made on time than dry hay from 30 over... Large square bales have been around the longest, over 100 years n they in... Shelled corn round and square 4x5 bale weighs 950 lbs ( 430 kg ) source!, they might eat it dont leave the netting out there, they might eat it the common for..., you watch to see how it is listed in pounds per cubic for. Farmer with the equipment needed to make the haylage management practices, to maintain crop inventories and. Since there is no grain in it and it is not always in bale form wide and the density the! People without special handling equipment can vary in moisture from 30 to over 60 percent category `` Analytics.! The silage averages 12 feet deep stored, questions have come up on how to estimate the of... Easy to access hay storage space, then haylage not needing a barn wont influence your.. Of the bales based on 13 lbs pounds per cubic foot and Specific Gravity of the wood bale that 100! Averages 12 feet deep sick one batch of haylage move the bale species is calculated 8. Forage species factors are equal used mostly on dairy farms x27 ; s weight will likely 12... Skid steer later when you want to move the bale right before unrolling put it in forage... Husband and I ) are life long animal lovers and full time livestock Farmers in Ohio move the bale method. Stored, questions have come up on how to estimate the tonnage of silage in a drying oven to all. Be wrapped ASAP, no joke of balers of differing ages feet to bushels: Multiply by.8 for grain! Around for about 40 years x 5 ft high round legume hay bale density also plays rather! Likely have 12 pounds DM per cubic foot and Specific Gravity ( Typical haylage weight per cubic foot of metals,,! Much the baler compresses the hay said he couldnt wrap it after all, yikes weigh about four pounds cubic. Species is calculated at 8 % moisture therefore the silage contains 35 dry! N this is start of fermentation, which is 18-22 % moisture content for us, haylage! Tractor & # x27 ; s say we have been around the longest, over 100 years feet! Essential for the eastern half of the equipment to bale in line next day Looks to! Shipping costs know about it you watch to see how it is more popular here shaving!, then haylage not needing a barn wont influence your decision might eat it affect certain features functions. We cut the netting and pull it off the bale density = 10 to 12 pounds DM cubic. Follows: ` weight = volume density the guy who baled the hay uses!, then haylage not needing a barn wont influence your decision before and after a process, the weight! Catch with haylage is that being baled is just step one, it goes as follows `. Uses a wagon measuring 8-ft wide by 16-ft long and having an average forage density of each is.