How many tons of hay does one acre produce?

As an example of hay dryness, an "as is" yield of 4.0 tons per acre is equal to 3.4 "dry" tons per acre when the moisture is 15%. [4.0 tons x (100% - 15% moisture)] = 3.4 tons of dry forage].

1. How many tons of hay can you get per acre?
2. How much does hay make per acre?
3. How many acres do you need to farm hay?
4. How many tons of hay does a cow need?
5. How much is a ton of hay worth?
6. Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?
7. Can you make money growing hay?
8. How much hay is harvested each year?
9. How many bales of hay are in a ton?
10. How much land do you need for a bale of hay?
11. How many times can you cut hay a year?
12. How long will a round bale of hay last a cow?
13. How much hay does a 500 pound calf eat?
14. How much hay does a bull eat per day?
15. How much alfalfa is an acre?
16. What is hay selling for?

How many tons of hay can you get per acre?

The average U.S. dry hay yield (all types) dropped from 2.52 tons per acre in 2016 to 2.44 tons per acre in 2017.

How much does hay make per acre?

He says it costs about $297 per acre to seed and prepare hay ground. “You are going to get more than three years out of that, but if we use three years, that's about $100 per acre per year,” Brown says. “If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre.

How many acres do you need to farm hay?

You don't need hundreds of acres to start out. In fact, with today's equipment designed for small, hobby farms, you can grow and harvest on less than 10 acres. But, depending on your growing season, you'll likely have to charge more per bale than a competitor farming 10 times that size.

How many tons of hay does a cow need?

After calving and during early lactation, the cow may weigh 100 pounds less, but will be able to consume about 2.6% of her body weight (100% dry matter) in hay. This would translate into 36 pounds of “as-fed” hay per cow per day necessary to be hauled to the pasture.

How much is a ton of hay worth?

Depending on the type, quality, place of harvest, and size of hay bales, you should expect to pay something between $30 and $300 per ton of hay. If you want hay to contain alfalfa or Bermuda grass, then it will be more expensive.

Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?

In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall, you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it. Most farmers and ranchers initially don't believe this. ... When full cost of production is accounted for, hay generally costs between $70 and $140/ton to produce.

Can you make money growing hay?

The short answer is ABSOLUTELY - YES. Every year around 9 million tonnes of fodder (hay, straw and silage) is made. Total value is around $1.3 billion. Approximately half is traded and half retained for on farm use.

How much hay is harvested each year?

Depending on the soil condition, hay type and when it is sowed and harvested, it may be possible to get two or even three cuttings of hay in one year. Once the hay is cut and dry, it is time for baling.

How many bales of hay are in a ton?

A ton: 2000# pounds of hay to the ton. A retail three string bale weighs 100 # there are 20 bales in a ton. A "feed store ton" can be 16 bales. A semi holds 24 tons on a truck.

How much land do you need for a bale of hay?

Horse farmers are looking for good hay, and they're willing to pay for it. Here was the thought, on 50 acres you would get 100 square bales per acre, which is a conservative number. If we do the math, that works out to be. 100 bales x 50 acres = 5000 bales of hay for 50 acres of land.

How many times can you cut hay a year?

In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield.

How long will a round bale of hay last a cow?

Thirty-six pounds of hay is close to one small square bale of hay per day, taking into consideration some waste. Conversely, feeding one large round bale of hay, to two or three steers or cows will last a few weeks.

How much hay does a 500 pound calf eat?

Typical stocking rates are 0.75 to 1.75 head per acre of 400- to 500-pound calves in the fall and winter, depending upon growth, stand, and soil fertility. This can be doubled to 1.5 to 2.5 head per acre in the spring if the wheat is grazed out.

How much hay does a bull eat per day?

Essentially, the bulls need to consume just less than 2 percent of their body weight to hold even while consuming good hay that is at least green. Just to maintain weight, a: 1,700-pound bull needs a daily intake of 33 pounds of dry matter that is 7 percent protein and 46 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN)

How much alfalfa is an acre?

The average total yield is 20-35 tons per hectare (or 8-14 tons per acre) per year (distributed in 5-6 cuts). Top yields (intensive farming) can exceed 40 tons per hectare or 16 tons per acre per year. You can enrich this article by leaving a comment or photo of your alfalfa harvesting methods and yields.

What is hay selling for?

Small square bales averaged $4.60 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $64.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 to $90.00). Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 - $85.00). In Nebraska, hay sold steady, demand is light in 2020.