I know there will be variables, but on the average, in zone 6, how many square bales of hay can I expect per acre of mixed grasses?

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002

Answers

We're in the upper part of zone 5, never close to zone 4. A good hay field here will get 2 cutting a year, totalling about 200 bales. A lot will depend on if you fertilize between cuttings. Although, in zone 6, I would think you would get 3 cuttings.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), May 02, 2002.

Anywhere from less then 1 ton to 5 tons per acre. Now that's helpful ain't it! I'd guess maybe 2 tons (80-50# bales) per acre if it's not properly limed and fertilized.

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), May 02, 2002.

I don't know how much you can get over a year, but to determine how much you get for a cutting, cut the grass for 1 square yard, dry it, weigh it, and multiply by the square yards in the field. The trick is to cut an AVERAGE square yard instead of your BEST square yard.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), May 02, 2002.

Karen, I'm in Zone 4-5 and my very old seedings of grass hay probably average a ton and a quarter an acre per year. No fertilizer, no lime, etc. One cutting except in very rare years. Depending on the size of the bale you put up, I would think you could use my figure for a minimum and work from there. My bales run 65-70 pounds and up, my neighbor puts his up at 35-40 pounds, so have an idea of your bale weights before you do the math. :)

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), May 02, 2002.

Bales are different sizes. I've had some 200 lb. bales (con't be moved with less that 10 strong men) and I've gotten some 25 lb. Bales (very easy on the back). Try to figure out how many tons per acre to get a better result. The square yard idea is good. That's how range evaluators grade land. Taking an average of several squares is even better.

-- Erika (misserika129@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.

Depends on the size of the bales! In Arizona, they sold 3 wire square bales that weighed 120-130 pounds. Here in Texas, they sell 2 wire square bales that weigh half as much. Round bales here weigh 1,000-1,500 pounds.

Here, the land produces about 100 two wire square bales/acre.

To keep our property ag exempt and taxes next to nothing we only have to produce 3 tons of hay/acre/year.

Coastal grass hay is grown here. It's cut all year around except for January and February.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), May 03, 2002.