Bale Grazing big Squares

[Happytrails]

I've got a chance to hire a custom big square baler for some of my hay that is down. I would want to graze these bales where they fall out of the baler. I am wondering if you turned them so the twines are on the sides if you could control the bales available to the cattle by only removing twines from some of them. The idea would be to save the job of making temporary fences to portion out the bales. My old way is to make round bales wrapped with a little sisal twine. Then at feeding time make electic fences to only allow access to about a weeks worth of feed. Has any of you tried this? TIA HT

[grassfarmer]

No idea really but wouldn't big squares fall apart a bit
too easily to bale graze? At least with rounds they
have to work at getting hay off them.

[Happytrails]

I don't think the looseness of the feed is an issue...consider Sean's bunch grazing plan.
Actually I have been thinking that since you have to attend each bale to remove the twines you could spread them 2 or 3 ways with the loader at the same time. Would be an option anyway.

[grassfarmer]

I don't know - everything comes at a cost. Sean can
pencil a favourable cost allowing some wastage
because he isn't running a baler although he is still
running a haybine of some kind as well as a bunch
rake. He isn't saving capital cost or depreciation of a
baler because he already owns one.
If you haybine it, bale it, go out with a loader every
time what are you really saving to justify the extra
waste you will have? Both winter feeding waste
through not using feeders and from now until winter
wastage which could be substantial if you get another
4 inches of rain falling on top of square bales. What
infrastructure have you already got and paid for that
you won't be using by doing this eg bale processor,
ring feeders?
Personally I'd either bale it up in rounds and leave
them in the field if you want to bale graze or leave
the crop standing. Sure you'll have some waste of
quality and feed but if you never touch it at all with a
machine you will be saving a lot too.

[cleegfarms]

big square bales do not shed water like
round bales.If you were to get a lot of
rain on them they would be total junk.I
have seen square bales stacked 4 high
without tarps and it is amazing how much
waste is in the top bales with a little
rain.It would be the same as turning a
round bale on its side.I would round bale
them or bale big squares and stack and
tarp them.Just my 2cents worth.

[Happytrails]

The moisture thing is the most worrying to me. Taking the tractor to the field to spread hay when collecting the twines is a non issue to me. My rationale for doing this to maintain the productivity of my hay fields not to avoid using equipment. I can haul bales in and feed them pretty economically but getting the manure back out there is prohibitive.

[grassfarmer]

How do you feed bales "in" economically? - I'm
assuming you are talking in the corrals? Can you not
use the same method to feed them in the field either
with the bales stacked at the edge of the field and
sheeted if they are squares?

[ALLFARMER]

My 2 cents on big square balers is ...1. way higher
initial cost than a round baler 2. way more moving
parts than a round baler, meaning parts to keep
timed, parts that wear out like the bale chamber
and the changing of knives..... knives which are
cutting your hay into smaller pieces/fines.

Big square balers are great for high production.
One custom operator I knew had a 4994 caseih
on his new caseih baler. Caseih bought him a
complete new pickup for it but said after that no
puckup warrenty. These machines are great for
guys exporting product. Get the hay up fast, easily
loaded on a truck easily trucked down the
highway... no rack needed....bales wont be falling
off if straps not checked. The only way i would put
up squares would be with a long narrow pole
shed. This way you dont get hay
combusting/burning and tarps are a bit of a
joke....always waiting for the next wind storm and
mice making holes....loops ripping out.

[Happytrails]

AF these bales are costing me 12 bucks a piece to make. The custom operator looks after the details.

GF If you are advising me to haul the bales to the edge of the field and then back out for feeding I am missing something. With feeding the bales where they grew I am skipping those 2 trips.

[per]

"My rationale for doing this to maintain the productivity of my hay fields not to avoid using equipment. I can haul bales in and feed them pretty economically but getting the manure back out there is prohibitive."

Hauling to the side of the field and stacking and then back out to where you want the nutrients kind of fits what you said except it will be a cheaper haul to the fields edge. The top can be tarped this way or at least the loss concentrated on the top row. I personally am hoping you attempt the project so we will all know how it works.

[Happytrails]

Hey per its happening for better or worse. I've got swaths, sisal wrapped round bales made, and they are doing big squares right now. Being in the semi arid areas maybe I don't worry about moisture damage as much as you. No doubt the round bales are a better bet to carry over till next year. I don't know how much of the big squares would be left after a year in the field on their edge.

Might see you at WSGA summer mtg. Oh and if you want some ABP checkoff back for the last half do it now.

[per]

Good point today is the second last day to apply. Hope to see you Wednesday.