Clint Perkins

Time and time again I get calls from folks asking what hay is worth. Well, obviously it’s worth what you are willing to pay. However, we must think about hay the same as you would any other feed commodity. When feeding sack feed, the first question that we ask is what is the price per pound/or price per ton? Hay is no different.

Purchasing hay at a fixed price per bale can result in unexpected high prices per ton. Weights of hay bales vary considerably. Most other commodities such as feed grains, supplements and other items are sold on a weight basis.

Typically, we buy Bermuda grass, Bahia or mixed hay. In some cases it might be more economical to purchase hay such as alfalfa because you will be buying higher protein forages cheaper. Please pay close attention to the cost per ton when feeding small square bales. On a large-scale operation this could be very costly.

Individuals who purchase hay by the bale (rather than by the ton) should know the average weight of bales they are purchasing and calculate the cost per ton of that hay.

For all hay users, it is a good practice to take hay samples and have it tested prior to feeding or purchase, but it is even more imperative for someone purchasing hay. Testing the nutrient value of hay can provide valuable information when evaluating the price of hay from multiple sources. It can also be beneficial for hay purchasers buying hay by the bale to weigh several bales and determine an average weight when comparing hay prices across multiple hay sellers.

I hope this information will give you some insight on how much hay is really costing you. In the economic climate with lower cattle prices, we must try to minimize our expenses while maintaining a quality livestock operation. If you have any further questions, please contact Clint Perkins at the Smith County Extension Office, 1517 W. Front St. in Tyler, or call 903-590-2980.