ROUND
BALES
• Low
moisture required, results in high in-field losses
• Minimal equipment and labor for harvest
• Indoor storage lowers spoilage but increases storage cost
• Bale volume is dependent upon baler settings
• Feeding losses may be extreme
• Total dry matter losses may approach 50%
Square or Round Bales Advanatages
• Losses
incurred while dry crop in field are extensive due to shattering leaves
• Harvesting square bales is extremely labor intensive
• Storage loss on round bales left outside may exceed 50%
• Use of rack or manger for feeding results in a 7%-9% loss
• Feeding losses without rack may exceed 45%
• Bales may be difficult to use with a TMR mixer
SUMMARY
While bales provide good roughage for the livestock, the cost involved in labor and total dry matter losses makes using bales for complete storage needs uneconomical.