1. Storage and Feeding Economics
Hay Management
Storage and Feeding Economics
By Ken Richardson
Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office
June, 2002

2. Hay Storage Economics Requirements for your herd Methods of storage
Costs of different methods
Every segment of a beef operation should be analyzed and budgeted

3. Hay Requirements for a Mature Beef Cow
Total days Days Dry Days Lactating Tons Hay
(DD x 15) + (DL x 25) = Tons Hay
Based on 15 lbs for Days Dry & 25 lbs for Days Lactating

4. Hay Requirements for 30 Cow Herd
Determine average calving date within hay feeding period.
(Feeding hay from December 1 through March 31 (120 d)
Average calving date is January 29
Average DD is 60
Average DL is 60
(DD x 15) + (DL x 25) = Tons Hay
(60 x 15) + (60 x 25) =
= 2400 lbs per cow
30 cows x 2400 = 72,000 lbs = 36 Tons Hay
Does not allow for any waste

5. Storage Methods by Rank
# 1 Barn Storage
# 2 Drained Surface with Plastic Cover
# 3 Plastic Sleeve
# 4 Net Wrap
# 5 Drained Surface
# 6 Plastic Cover over Bales
# 7 Pyramid Stack with Plastic Cover
# 8 Bales Placed on Ground without Cover

7. Breakeven barn cost for various levels of storage loss and varying hay value at harvest. (Inputs other than storage
loss and hay value are not included.)
Note: This analysis includes the following assumptions: in-barn stacking height of 3 bales, 10-year barn life, and
barn construction cost of $7.50/sq. ft.

8. A Thief on the Farm
Cost of putting up a ton of Bermuda Grass Hay $60.38
A 30% loss to stored bales $18.00

9. Dry matter loss vs average spoilage depth in round bales of various diameters(volumetric formula).

10. Equipment or Hay Shelters
40 x 100 x 14 (4000 sq ft)
$6,869 + tax ($1.72 sq ft)
50 x 100 x 14 (5000 sq ft
$9,018 + tax ($1.80 sq ft)
60 x 100 x 14 (6000 sq ft)
$10,560 + tax ($1.76 sq ft)
70 x 100 x 14 (7000 sq ft)
$12,102 + tax ($1.73 sq ft)
Tyson Inc. FOB Doerun

11. Costs of Net Wrap Compared to a string wrap baler $1.00 more per bale
$3000 more for the baler

12. Outside Hay Storage Recommendations
Store away from trees
Flat ends butted tightly together
Store on slope North/South
Tight bales resists water penetration
Storage area located on well-drained site
Hay/soil contact avoided (gravel, pallets, old tires)
Rounded sides 3 feet apart between rows
Reduce fire risk, store in several locations
Harrow around storage areas

13. Key Concepts Regarding Hay Feeding
Match hay quality to animal needs
Feed animals on well-drained site
Feed outside stored hay first
Feed in hay racks or other barriers
Feed on wagons with hay racks
Minimize the amount of hay at one time
Force clean up by animals with low nutrient requirements (before feeding more hay)

14. Great differences can occur in the amount of hay wasted during
feeding, depending on management!

15. Costs of Getting Started
Baler $20,000
Tractor (70 hp) $19,000
Mower $ 7,000
Rake $ 2,600
Tedder $ 3,500
Front Loader $ 4,500
$56,600
* Does not include interest

16. Final Thoughts With a cow herd of 30 cows or less, most farmers are
better off to buy hay or have custom baling done on their
farm.
The other option is to bale their own hay and contract or
custom bale for their neighbors.