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Round Bale Hay Storage Costs Brian J. Holmes Professor and Extension Specialist

This article discusses the factors to consider when selecting a hay storage system, including the duration of storage, the value of the hay, and the length of storage each year. It also provides an economic analysis of different storage alternatives.

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Round Bale Hay Storage Costs Brian J. Holmes Professor and Extension Specialist

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  1. Round Bale Hay Storage Costs Brian J. Holmes Professor and Extension Specialist University of Wisconsin- Madison

  2. What hay storage system should I select? • Answer depends on: • 1. How long will storage be used? • 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, • 15 years, 20 years

  3. What hay storage system should I select? • Answer depends on: • 2. What is hay worth? • If you had hay to sell today, • what could you get for it?

  4. What hay storage system should I select? • Answer depends on: • 2. What is hay worth? • If you had to buy hay today, • what would you give for it?

  5. What hay storage system should I select? • Answer depends on: • 2. What is hay worth? • Grass hay • Alfalfa hay • Buying on quality (cows, horses etc.) • Feeding beef cows • Feeding dairy cows • Type and Size of Package

  6. Average Prices Paid Numerous Midwest Locations (Jan 9, 2004) Bale Type www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/hay_market_report.htm

  7. What hay storage system should I select? • Answer depends on: • 3. How long will hay be stored each • year and in what seasons? • DM loss depends on moisture, • temperature & time

  8. Round Bale Hay Dry Matter Loss Storage Period Storage Up to Method 9 Months*12-18 Months === Dry Matter Loss (%) === Exposed Ground 5-20 15-50 Elevated 3-15 12-35 Covered Ground 5-10 10-15 Elevated 2- 4 5-10 Under Roof 2 - 5 3-10 Enclosed Barn <2 2– 5 * If used by spring warm up Huhnke

  9. Hay Dry Matter Losses • Source of Loss Additional Cumulative • Loss Loss • (%) (%) • --------------------------------------------------------------- • Respiration/ 2-10* 2-10* • Heating • Direct 1-25* 3-35* • Precipitation • Ground 2-15* 5-50* • Wicking • --------------------------------------------------------------- • Highest values for 12-18 months storage • Huhnke

  10. Dry Matter Loss vs Months of Storage 40 35 30 0.5 % /mo 25 1.0 % /mo 20 1.5 % /mo 2.0 % /mo 15 3.0 % /mo 10 5 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Rate of DM Loss Moist Climates-Outside (1.0 - 3.0 % / mo) Dry Matter Loss (%) Dry Climates or Inside (0.5-1.5 % / mo) Months of Storage Fahey et al

  11. Factors Affecting Dry Matter Loss Rate Bale: Type Size Density Initial Moisture Forage Species

  12. Factors Affecting Dry Matter Loss Rate Weather: Precipitation Relative Humidity Temperature Sunshine vs Shade

  13. Factors Affecting Dry Matter Loss Rate Protection from Moisture: Roof Plastic Wrap/Sleeves Net Wrap vs Twine Tarp Separation from Soil/Ground

  14. Factors Affecting Dry Matter Loss Rate Separation from Ground: Plastic Wrap Large Crushed Stone Ties/Poles Pallets Tires Other??

  15. Percentage of Bale Volume Affected by Weathering Depth of Weathered Layer (inches) Round Bale Dimensions Diameter (ft) Length (ft) 2 4 6 8 % of Bale Volume Weathered 4 4 16 31 44 56 5 4 13 25 36 46 6 5 11 21 31 40 Collins et al

  16. Value of Hay Dry Matter Lost in Storage Storage Hay Price ($/T of Hay @16% Moisture) Loss 40 60 80 100 120 (%) ===== Value Lost ($/Ton Hay)======= 5 2 3 4 5 6 10 4 6 8 10 12 15 6 9 12 15 18 20 8 12 16 20 24 25 10 15 20 25 30 30 12 18 24 30 36 35 14 21 28 35 42 40 16 24 32 40 48 45 18 27 36 45 54 Huhnke

  17. Precipitation Hay bales should be covered to reduce the nutrients leaching back into the soil. Shade Ground Wicking

  18. Precipitation? Shade Ground Wicking

  19. What hay storage system should I select? • Answer depends on: • 4. What are the economics of alternatives? • (Capital vs Annual Costs)

  20. Round Bale Storage Cost Analysis Results Based on Assumptions that Follow See URL for spreadsheet to do your analysis http:// WWW.UWEX.EDU/CES/CROPS/HARVEST.HTM

  21. Assumptions Used in Analysis Location: Humid Climate Storage Time (months) 6 12 Storage Type Dry Matter Loss (%) Outside on Ground 9.5 13 Outside w Crushed Rock Pad 8 10 Outside - Pad & Pallets 7.5 8.5 Outside - Pad & Tarp 4 5 Outside - Pad, Pallets & Tarp 3 4 Inside Building 2 2

  22. 1,200 sq ft 30 x 40 3,600 sq ft 40 x 90

  23. Assumptions Used in Analysis Bale: Length = 5 ft Diameter = 5 ft Weight = 1200 lbs/bale Number = 378 Total Weight = 227 T Building: Length = 90 ft Width = 40 ft Height = 16 ft Cost = $6.00 / sq ft Floor =$0.30 / sq ft Total Cost = $22,680

  24. Assumptions Used in Analysis Macadam Storage Pad Height = 3 Bales (Pyramid) Width = 15 ft Length = 315 ft Unit Cost = $0.40 / sq ft Labor Rate = $10 / hr Tarp Unit Cost = $0.06 / sq ft Pallet unit Cost = $0.26 / sq ft Pallet Tractor Rate = $23 / hr

  25. Conclusions Based on Assumptions • 1. Storage decisions affect costs significantly • Do your own cost analysis • 2. For 6 month storage: • Consider Rock Pad or Pad & Tarp at $40/Ton • to insure against wet year • Use Rock Pad & Tarp at > $50/Ton • Don’t Use Building, Pads w Pallets • or Pads w Pallet & Tarp • 3. For 12 Month Storage: • Use Rock Pad & Tarp • Don’t Use Other Alternatives

  26. Questions?

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