haylage weight per cubic foot

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. These numbers will vary slightly depending on the moisture content and length of cut at harvest. Dont use anything that will pierce the plastic. Lets look into it. Disadvantages of silage . Bale density is measured in pounds per cubic foot. They are popular with horse owners, small animal breeders, landscapers, and anywhere that manual handling is required or where only smaller quantities of hay are needed. 0000010957 00000 n 0000041051 00000 n Density = 10 to 14 pounds per cubic foot for hay Some parts of this site work best with JavaScript enabled. The bale now weight 80 lbs. trailer << /Size 234 /Info 169 0 R /Encrypt 187 0 R /Root 186 0 R /Prev 235248 /ID[<03c3f8c75692ed62b9f40aeef95d39f5>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 186 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 172 0 R /Metadata 170 0 R /JT 184 0 R /PageLabels 168 0 R >> endobj 187 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /R 2 /O ( UV.`Dz-#_m_}g) /U (]pek+YTCYm{`N) /P -4 /V 1 /Length 40 >> endobj 232 0 obj << /S 607 /T 728 /L 800 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 233 0 R >> stream The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Please note: it may seem like a good idea to store the wrapped bales in the pasture. Estimating the Weight of Forage in a Forage Wagon. When raising sheep, you occasionally get a sick one. Large Round Bales 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 Density = 5 to 7 pounds per cubic foot for straw Introduction 0000017224 00000 n For round bins you may use the top line in Table and multiply by height in feet. 0000004282 00000 n Then we would do the baling in the afternoon of the third day. 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) But there are variables, and they make a big difference. 0000009027 00000 n Given the choice, I prefer a wet year to a dry one. Bushels = 0.628 x diameter x diameter x average depth of grain (all in feet) for shelled corn or soybeans Haylage is faster to make from start to finish. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". How can the total weight of a loaded forage box be estimated? Square hay bales come in two major size groups. This is because legumes such as alfalfa will make a denser bale than a grass species. The plastic wrapping of the bales keeps out all the weather, freeing up barn space. Dont use a mower that grinds up the grass, your lawn mower is out! 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) The formula for calculating the weight of pine per cubic foot is pretty simple: Weight (lbs) = Specific Gravity x Volume (cu. Density = 0.8 bushels per cubic foot for corn or soybeans Their handling and transport advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales today. Fresh baled hay is usually around 18% to 20%. Formula: .CBRIM>O=hNS@X[D#B07.ETm[fm 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. The standard deviation of forage density in this study was 0.8 lbs. It frequently is used to refer to the loss of feed during harvest, handling, and storage. For example the silo is 50 feet long by 30 feet wide and the silage averages 12 feet deep. Reference: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Yearbook. Measuring alfalfa or corn silage yield is necessary to adjust management practices, to maintain crop inventories, and for crop reporting purposes. We truly appreciated their work, and they were fast and did a super job! 0000018104 00000 n However, these bales each have their own complete seal, so a rip in the plastic is limited to ruining one bale. ] VMkd?h5u#]XLT. Diameter - distance across a round structure Haylage is forage that is cut, baled moist and wrapped in plastic to ferment. Haylage is fermented moist hay. Horizontal silos, bag silos, and stacks require mechanical compaction to achieve adequate . Waiting to wrap is the potential Achilles heel of haylage. Since we were running really late on time ours were tube wrapped, just because it is faster than wrapping individually. (If you find any errors please contact us). It is important to determine the fill height for each load so that the correct volume is computed. (zSA Wed love to hear from you if you have any questions! DM per cubic foot Silage Storage Safely minimize shrink and preserve quality in storing silage. Shrink Loss is the Weight of As Fed (AF) Feed lost d. This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesnt support. Pounds = 0.0004545 x diameter x diameter x width (all in inches) x density, Pounds = (length / 12) x (width / 12) x (height / 12) (all in inches) x density To make good-quality earlage, follow these guidelines: Make sure the crop's moisture content is correct before chopping. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 0000010980 00000 n Its not haylage potential anymore, just bale it dry. The catch with haylage is that being baled is just step one, it must be wrapped ASAP, no joke. 0000032849 00000 n 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. 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. 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. Feed costs account for 60% of a beef cow . Baleage vs. Haylage by Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Educator explains more of the differences in terminology if youd like to dig a little deeper. 1 Capacity based on 16 lbs. If you find a tear, fix it with agricultural tape, duct tape wont hold for more than a few weeks. It is listed in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. 1 Capacity based on 16 lbs. What the heck is haylage and why should you know about it? This is because the temperature affects the water's density, and the density affects the weight. Here is where haylage making veers off of normal hay making, you only want the haylage to dry down to 45-55% moisture. Forage moisture also plays a role in bale weight but to a lesser degree than bale density unless bales are extremely dry or wet. 0000042791 00000 n Many people hire a farmer with the equipment to bale and wrap their hay. You missed your window. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, large rounds are often sold by the bale based on the buyer or sellers estimate of weight. Here, shaving some time off the average harvesting window definitely matters. The bale is already wrapped it can be stored anywhere that is convenient for you to get to later, it does not need to be in a barn! Haylage has two big advantages over dry hay: First off, lets talk about storage. We roll it out on the fields to the sheep with a bale unroller. 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. Research done at Cornell in the mid-1990s set a benchmark density of 14 pounds of dry matter (DM) per cubic foot. Haylage has a higher feed value than dry hay. Missing the weight of a bale by 10 percent amounts to some pretty significant dollars if multiple tons are being purchased. Care should be used when interpreting the results of a shrink calculation. If you want to use the haylage soon, rather than waiting until the winter, youll still need to give it time to cure. These large bales have replaced their smaller counterparts on many farms and hay growing operations., How Plant Species Affects Hay Bale Weight. As has been well documented by research, storage losses can range from below 5 percent to over 50 percent, depending on storage method. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. 0000021954 00000 n If you need to convert to cubic feet from inches: divide the final number (i.e. Typical hay bale density is 9 to 12 lbs per cubic foot. It often ranges from 9 to 12 pounds per cubic foot. 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 Why Do Farmers Have Lambs In The Winter. Then to convert cubic feet to bushels: Multiply by .8 for small grain or shelled corn. Forage Species It looks like nothing was found at this location. Here's an example. The sooner the haylage is wrapped, the better. 518 Farm House Lane Around here the common options for haylage are wrapping individual bales or making one long tube per batch of haylage. 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. Bale density also plays a rather large role in final bale weight. We put the bale in the end of the barn with the tractor, then cut the plastic and remove the netting while inside. Are you looking for volume to weight conversion like milligrams to milliliters, kilograms to liters, or grams to milliliters? Next, we cut the netting and pull it off the bale right before unrolling. Short versions: In our pre haylage days, getting dry hay made well was tough and, sadly, resulted in our share of rained on hay. Haylage also requires plastic to wrap the bales. 9ft Single Slab Black Epoxy River Dining Table GTA. 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. The same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs. High density small square bales are now being produced to reduce storage and shipping costs. Table 1 shows the average silage density of each forage species. Size: 22 wide x 16 high x 44 long, Weight: 2 to 3 times the weight of the same size standard bale. The long-standing guideline to achieve a minimum acceptable pack density is 800 pounds of packing weight per ton of forage delivered to the silo per hour. 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. How A Square Hay Baler Works - With Animation, Tractor Operator Making Large Round Bales - Cab View Video, Copyright Hayforks.com -- The rest of the article will be on haylage as baleage, meaning haylage in bale form. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Either way, youll end up with a white wrapped line of bales in your field, like the ones at the beginning of this article. 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). If loads are always filled to a uniform height in the forage box, an average height measurement can be used. 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. Since haylage is made sooner than hay, more of the nutrients that were in the plants when you mowed them remain in the haylage. 0000003418 00000 n 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. . Please use the following information as a guide. link to How Do You Know If A Sheep Is Sick? Weight = 6.15 pounds per gallon for gasoline. One suggestion for helping to determine the depth of fill in a forage box is to make permanent marks on 1/2 ft intervals on the side of the forage box. 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). Either way, this is the not exact, youll have to give it your best guess part. 7,200 cubic feet b. William Edwards, retired economist. 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. When the density of haylage or corn silage in a forage box is known, an estimate of the total forage weight in a chopper box can be calculated by multiplying the chopper box volume by the forage density. My husband called around and got two guys who actually dont normally do custom work to come with a tube wrapper. 0000023888 00000 n Later on in this article we will discuss the size and weight details of different types and of hay bales. What can it do for your livestock? dwiersma@facstaff.wisc.edu. Cooler water is denser than warmer water, so if the temperature of the water is less . Thanks for stopping by! The first part of the formula is the specific gravity of the wood. Size:: 18 x 14 x 36 -- weight: 120 to 180 lbs. Forage species also affects bale weight. 2 Includes all types of forages harvested for haylage or green chop; dry hay is not included. Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. Once stored, questions have come up on how to estimate the tonnage of silage in a bunker silo. Mono-Slope Beef Barn Air Quality Research Project. ft) x 62.4. Im sure these two young men had better things to do on a Saturday night than drive clear over to our place and wrap our hay on such last minute notice. You are looking for somewhere in the really wilted range. Iowa State University No. You need the stems of the grasses to stay long! The example specified 65% moisture therefore the silage contains 35% dry matter. In this example the actual wet basis density of the silage is 14 lb per cu-ft / 0.35 = 40 lb /cu-ft. 0000038442 00000 n Why move them so far, anyway? Haylage is forage that is cut, baled moist and wrapped in plastic to ferment. 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. As long as the wrap is not damaged the haylage inside will be stable. Bales of this type are often available in small quantities at local farm stores and building supply stores. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Multiply 150 pounds by .5 feet and you get 75 pounds for a square foot of concrete that's 6 inches thick. 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 0000021977 00000 n 0000002795 00000 n A 4x5 bale weighs 950 lbs (430 kg). 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 6 / 12 = .5 feet. For many years, I helped coordinate a monthly quality-tested hay auction where sellers had the option of selling by the bale or by weight from a certified scale. Density = 5.90 + (0.1 x depth of haylage) (in feet) = tons of dry matter per cubic foot for haylage (density increases with the depth of the haylage) Density = 0.8 bushels per cubic foot for corn or soybeans The sheep (or cattle) will rip the plastic and start self feeding the bales. Z,5Aii:*rQVYo?n Haylage is an opportunity to harvest forage for your stock when your harvesting conditions make dry hay unlikely to be successful, or you just want to preserve more of the nutrients in your forage. Hay bales can weigh from 40 lbs to 2,000 lbs (18 kg to 907 kg). 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. With todays high-producing animals, we know kernels must be processed into smaller particles for dairy, Shrink is a Deceptive Term We have those too. Finally, there are many models of balers of differing ages. It can be in a bunk silo, a bag or bale form. 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. Dont leave the netting out there, they might eat it. So for every 2,000 lbs (ton) of freshly baled hay you buy youre losing 200 lbs when compared to moisture stabilized hay. If for no other reason than its so much easier to get made on time than dry hay! 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. So why do you see some sheep with Hey there, Im Kathy! With the weather being wet in the summer lately, we decided to make our own haylage, instead of hoping to catch a dry week. Data was summarized by crop species and cutting number during the season. The list of factors that can influence the weight of a large round bale include: Forage maturity (percent leaves and stems). It does not store any personal data. why not hay. Now the naturally occurring bacteria that like to grow in anaerobic conditions start to grow. Weight = 7.15 pounds per gallon for diesel fuel (at room temperature) The bales must be stored away from the eaters. They are often preferred when the bale is going to be shipped long distances, since their density lowers shipping costs and makes it easier to build a secure load. Although heavier than two string bales, they can be handled by one or two people without special equipment. Averaged over all species andcuttings, the density of forage in a wagon was 5.0 pounds of dry forage per cubic foot (lbs DM/ft). 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. But on average the dirt weighs about 80 pounds per cubic foot with the typical range of 74 to 110 pounds per cubic foot. Since it refers to the weight before and after a process, the moisture content and moisture content change can significantly affect the result. . 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. 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. Alfalfa bales are about 15% heavier than the same size bale of timothy. Average Density and Dry Matter Content of Five Forages in Forage Wagons (Marshfield, Wisconsin 1992-1994). These large bales have replaced their smaller counterparts on many farms and hay growing operations.. link to Why Do Farmers Have Lambs In The Winter. Density = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot for hay Fresh, dry, fluffy snow might only weigh about four pounds per cubic foot. . Sometimes this is accurate, other times it is not. Haylage Mistakes and how you can avoid them gives the most common mistakes farmers make when making or handling haylage and what to do to prevent or fix those problems. Conversion Chart This is a conversion page for density units. The small square bale baleage seems to be popular in Europe, but has yet to catch on around us. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. That will seem very wet if you are used to dry hay. The good news here is that the timing of the wrapping is completely within your control. Since the bales are heavy even your older round baler may not be able to bale the wet forage because of the extra weight. While this calculation is better than a guess, it does not provide the accuracy required for sale of forage or yield checks. Round bales, also called rolls of hay, started showing up in fields about 40 years ago. As with most things, each choice is a package deal. Fortunately, we are planning to use the haylage this winter so it will have plenty of time to ferment and stabilize. 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. 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). Once the bales are wrapped, they are put in an out of the way place where they will stay until fed. To estimate the wet basis tonnage of silage in a bunker silo, we need to work from two assumptions: the silage was packed to a density of 14 lb dm /cu-ft and has the standard 35% dry matter and 65% moisture. Plant maturity is another factor that impacts bale density and ultimately bale weight. 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. To find the average dry weight per board foot, divide the pounds per cubic foot by 12. Think about it like sauerkraut compared to shredded cabbage. Tons of dry matter = Pi x diameter x diameter x depth of (all in feet) x density / 2,000, for corn silage or haylage For us, feeding haylage inside involves carrying the haylage to the feeders. In addition, this example will assume an average forage density of 5.0 lbs DM/ft and a forage dry matter of 40%. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Sixty to 65 percent dry matter, with 35 to 40 percent moisture (for the harvested material), is best. Yikes, high stress and low quality results! Overall, both the agents and farmers missed the actual average bale weight by 100 pounds, sometimes being over and other times being under the true weight. Weight = gallons x pounds per gallon Then the operator can quickly view the forage level and write it down for future calculation. Making Sure Your Kernel Processor Is Doing Its Job Haylage is a fermented forage that is fed to animals like hay. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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 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. In the past, we harvested any extra forage we grew as dry hay and left the haylage making to others. Additionally, there is also a natural tendency for dry matter loss during storage that the buyer will incur if bales are purchased immediately after baling. Topics covered in this hay bale weight guide: A 4x4 round bale of legumes like alfalfa weighs about 600 lbs (272 kg). However, this level of density was set as a minimum. It has timing issues as well. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. 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. Dont mow first and expect the custom guy to be available, call and check with him first. If something went wrong in the fermentation process, like the plastic was torn and introduced air, then the haylage will be unsuitable as feed. A 4 ft wide x 5 ft high round legume hay bale may weigh 1,000 lbs. All Lambs are supposed to be born in the spring, right? The individual wrapper is handy for farms not using the bales very quickly. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. . To convert to bushels of corn, multiply cubic feet times .8 (If the corn is 15.5% moisture). 0000011599 00000 n Measurements should be taken on each chopper box to determine the width and length. 0000043684 00000 n As far as getting the forage baled at the ideal time to keep peak nutrition for the livestock, haylage is easier than dry hay. For example the silo is 50 feet long by 30 feet wide and the silage averages 12 feet deep. weight before drying - weight after drying /weight before drying = moisture content percentage Baleage means that it is fermented hay specifically in bale form, this is the type that we do for our sheep. Square hay bales come in two size groups, small and large. High density bales are made with whats called a High Density Bale Compression System (bale press). of Science and Technology This is a big advantage for shipping and storage. Frequently it would be useful to know the weight of forage harvested from a field. This means that the actual forage density for all species ranged from 4.2 lbs DM/ft to 5.8 lbs DM/ft. Volume of hay in round stacks The rules or formulas used for oblong stacks do not apply to round stacks. Ready to bale fields of hay sitting soaking wet for weeks (last year, and the year before) was a normal sight in our area. Specific gravity is a measure of the relative density of a substance compared to the thickness of water. Once you open a tube of bales there is always an open side to the next bale in line. 0000012591 00000 n Hay bale density is determined by how much the baler compresses the hay. 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. Tons of wet silage or haylage = tons of dry matter / (1 - % moisture), Tons of dry matter = Length x width x depth of corn silage (all in feet) x density / 2,000 That is a bit different than this, so well stick to haylage in the form of baleage. Particle Briefings from READE: Weight Per Cubic Foot And Specific Gravity (Typical) of metals, minerals, ceramics, and organics. Ames, IA 50011-1054. Depending upon the day, the flock and the nutritional value of the haylage we may not need to feed the whole bale. 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. Haylage will also need that loader or skid steer later when you want to move the bale. Most small square bales can be handled manually. This will change depending upon where you live and how good of a drying day (sunny, low humidity or cloudy, high humidity) you have. 0000039989 00000 n 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. The weight of the tractor is the issue here, not the unroller. This variation, coupled with operator experience, lends further variability into the bale density and weight discussion. 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. It is listed in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. Density = 10 to 12 pounds per cubic foot for corn stover The term shrink is used widely in the feed industry. 0000006056 00000 n 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. Then just like making dry hay you wait for the forage to dry down. For a broken concrete, the weight of 8 cubic feet will be 875 = 600 pounds. Dont leave the unrolled section of the haylage with the sheep or cattle. We weigh grain, feed inputs, crop inputs, calves, cows, and milk . byKevin J. Shinners and Brian J. Holmes If you must re position the bales you need a grabber. 0000012306 00000 n 0000001349 00000 n Weighing bales might not be as convenient as not weighing them, but there are very few situations where its not an option. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Their handling and transport advantages led to them becoming the most popular bales today. Density = 0.515 bushels per cubic foot for ground ear corn