Round Bale Hay Storage Costs Brian J Holmes

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

Dry Matter Loss vs Months of Storage Dry Matter Loss (%) 40 35 30 25 Rate of DM Loss Moist Climates-Outside (1. 0 - 3. 0 % / mo) 0. 5 % /mo 1. 0 % /mo 20 1. 5 % /mo 15 2. 0 % /mo 10 3. 0 % /mo Dry Climates or Inside (0. 5 -1. 5 % / mo) 5 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Months of Storage Fahey et al

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

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

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

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

Percentage of Bale Volume Affected by Weathering Round Bale Dimensions Diameter (ft) Length (ft) Depth of Weathered Layer (inches) 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

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

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

Precipitation? Shade Ground Wicking

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

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

Assumptions Used in Analysis Location: Humid Climate Storage Time (months) Storage Type 6 12 Dry Matter Loss (%) Outside on Ground Outside w Crushed Rock Pad Outside - Pad & Pallets Outside - Pad & Tarp Outside - Pad, Pallets & Tarp Inside Building 9. 5 8 7. 5 4 3 2 13 10 8. 5 5 4 2

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

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

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

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

Questions?