Round bales and cleanup

[Mike_in_Missouri]

I am new to ag, have sheep, and typically have fed them round bales in winter (well, the one winter I've had them so far...) I had to feed a bale this month due to drought. I have noticed sheep won't eat the entire bale...there's always a little at the bottom that's wasted. Problem is, this is enough to kill good grass underneath. What (if anything) grows afterward is weeds, not good grass. How can I easily get rid of this heavy, thick, and wet waste hay so that grass beneath isn't killed? I am trying simply turning it with a rake so it'll dry in the sun, then hitting it with a mower (I don't have implements for the tractor, yet, so using a riding mower.)

Going to have to reseed where bales were kept last winter. I don't have a whole lot of land, so can't give up good grassland because of this. Thanks for any helpful replies.

 

[paulsharvey]

I've seen people suggest unrolling the round bale in a fairly bare part of the pasture. They still leave a lot of the hay; but the seed and organic matter help build the soil.

 

[Mike_in_Missouri]

I was thinking about doing this with the round bale I fed earlier this month, but was advised against it due to waste. There's waste, anyway...so I might give it a shot if (God forbid) I have to feed another round bale this summer. I think an unrolled round bale would be easier to deal with than a piled up heap.

Praying for more rain.

 

[Hay Dude]

Can you put the bale on a pallet, so the bottom spoilage will be reduced and the sheep will eat more of it?
Placing a round bale directly on the ground causes it to wick up moisture and spoil.

 

[paulsharvey]

Oh, and I don't want to assume; But; any neting or artifical twine, make sure to remove and get out of the pasture, regardless of the feeding method. Only mentioned that, because you said this is only your 1st or second year, and it's one of those things, if you don't know; then you don't know; until your dealing with an animal with a belly full of poly twine...

 

[Mike_in_Missouri]

Thanks paulsharvey and Hay Dude. I store my round bales on pallets...so sure...I'll throw a piece of plywood on top and put the bale on top of that (nails/screws coming out in hay = terrifying).

I pull the netting entirely off the bales I feed...yes, bad way for an animal to die.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks paulsharvey and Hay Dude. I store my round bales on pallets...so sure...I'll throw a piece of plywood on top and put the bale on top of that (nails/screws coming out in hay = terrifying).

I pull the netting entirely off the bales I feed...yes, bad way for an animal to die.

The piece of plywood defeats the purpose. It’ll still rot on the bottom.
This wont happen with plastic pallets.
Even better would be to put the plastic pallet on top of some rock, but that may not be possible for you. Or you could double stack the pallets to increase air circulation.

 

[jyoutz]

When I feed steers I use a hay ring around the round bales (after removing netting. It keeps the hay contained and reduces waste because they can’t walk or urinate on it. These come in different configurations depending on the livestock being fed and they do have some styles designed for sheep and goats. Yes it will kill the grass under the feeder if the hay is there long enough, but it does contain the sacrifice area.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-8-ft-economy-bale-feeder-2089412?store=1619&cid=Shopping-Google-Local_Feed&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&utm_campaign=&utm_content=Local_Feed&gbraid=0AAAAAD3fmFPzGxTityWRVIyWiYJL5H1I7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw6znrKOmgAMVog-tBh3WbwTsEAQYCCABEgIt3PD_BwE

 

[Mike_in_Missouri]

The piece of plywood defeats the purpose. It’ll still rot on the bottom.
This wont happen with plastic pallets.

Got a particular style you prefer? These aren't cheap...some on Amazon don't look much differently constructed than their wooden counterparts.

 

[Hay Dude]

Got a particular style you prefer? These aren't cheap...some on Amazon don't look much differently constructed than their wooden counterparts.

You can usually find them for sale on CL or FB. They are also sold by chemical companies.
How many do you need? 2?

They are constructed completely different (at least the ones I have are) Mine are more like a mesh pattern, not wide flat slats. I have about 30 of them I collected over the years.

 

[Gee Ray]

I know my goats would not touch the hay once it was on the ground. Sheep may be the same way. Google "round bale hay feeders for sheep". Look at the ones that you could adapt to your skills and budget.

Example:

https://nrsworld.com/products/quicksilver-hay-cradle?variant=39421445537931&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn_OlBhDhARIsAG2y6zMfEnBv48wbnqbKWx2qa8emlSIwD-FIC0vtiNFr202uWbTAY41FUO4aAqZVEALw_wcB

Store your hay off of the ground on pallets (no plywood) and stack the bales far enough apart to allow the air to circulate OR stack them flat end to flat end so tight that the water can not get between them.

As far as your feeding spot, I would always feed the bales on the same spot or get a pitch fork and stack the waste hay into a compost pile.

 

[5030]

Klene Pipe Structures in Indiana makes a dandy round bale feeder that eliminates any wasted forage. Problem is, you have to load them with a bale spear or squeeze grab. When we raised cattle we had 2 and they totally eliminated waste and kept the bales off the ground and dry. When we divested ourselves of cattle, I sold them for what I paid for them. They aren't cheap but totally worth it in feed savings.

 

[paulsharvey]

I only raised the net wrap/twine issue, because last year in son's ag class at high school they had a steer get really bad, refused to eat, had a bulge, and hardly drink. I asked him, do yall remove the twine? Nope. The steer ended up passing the twine ball, and survived, but if an Ag teacher didn't think to tell the kids; I'm guessing a lot of people don't think about it.

Edit: I also asked; is it artifical twine or jute? "I don't know, it's orange...." that would be a poly twine. And if you drop it in a field, the idiot cattle will find and eat it, for no good reason...

 

[5030]

One of the hayfields I lease was loaded with poly twine. Took me a couple days to pick it all up. It's hell on bailing equipment as well.