Bale Weight Determines Cost of Hay
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, feedgrains, supplements, and other items are sold on a weight basis.
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. Table I shows the cost per ton of hay at various bales weights and prices of large and small bales.
Table 1. Cost Per Ton of Hay at Various Bale Weights (Large Bales)
|
Price per Bale ($) | |||||
|
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 | |
|
Weight of Bale (lbs) |
Cost/Ton Hay ($) | ||||
| 1,000
1,100 1,200 1,300 1,400 1,500 |
50
45 41 38 36 33 |
60
54 50 46 43 40 |
70
63 58 54 50 46 |
80
72 66 61 57 54 |
90
82 74 70 65 60 |
| Weight of Bales (lbs) | |||||
|
Bale Price ($) |
50 |
55 |
60 |
65 | |
|
Cost/Ton Hay ($) | |||||
|
$2.00 $2.25 $2.50 $2.75 $3.00 $3.25 $3.50 |
|
80.00 90.00 100.00 110.00 120.00 130.00 140.00 |
72.72 81.81 90.90 99.99 109.08 118.17 127.26 |
66.66 74.99 83.33 91.66 99.99 108.32 116.65 |
61.54 69.23 76.93 84.62 92.31 100.00 107.70 |