Part of the Agriculture collection — 4 tools available
Hay Yield Calculator
Estimate hay production in bales per acre and total tons. Enter bale weight, field size, and bales per acre to project your full season harvest yield.
About This Calculator
Whether you're selling hay as a cash crop or feeding your own livestock through winter, knowing your yield per acre is essential for both financial planning and feed budgeting. Hay production is typically measured in tons per acre per cutting, but most people count bales rather than weigh them — and bale weights vary 15-20% between operators and moisture levels. A small square bale might weigh 40 or 65 pounds depending on how tightly it's packed. Our hay yield calculator converts your bale count, average weight, and field size into standardized tonnage.
The Formula Behind This Calculator
Yield (tons/ac) = (Bale weight * Count) / (2,000 * Acres) Target moisture: 15-18% for square bales.
Understanding the math helps you verify results and make better decisions for your project.
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How to Use
- 1Enter average bale weight in pounds.
- 2Enter bales per acre from your count or estimate.
- 3Enter total acres of hay field.
- 4Set number of cuttings per year.
- 5Enter price per bale if selling.
- 6Click Calculate for tons/acre, total bales, and revenue.
When to Use
- →Projecting annual hay production and revenue before committing land to hay vs another crop
- →Determining whether you have enough hay to feed your livestock through the winter months
- →Pricing your hay competitively by calculating per-ton production costs for a fair asking price
Tips
- ✓Weigh 5-10 random bales to get a true average — bale weights vary 15-20% between operators and moisture levels
- ✓First cutting usually yields the most tonnage; subsequent cuttings decline by 15-30% each
- ✓Test hay for protein and TDN before selling — quality-graded hay commands a premium over untested bales
FAQ
What is a good hay yield per acre?
Alfalfa: 3-6 tons/acre/year. Grass hay: 2-4 tons. Mixed: 2.5-5 tons. Yields vary with rainfall, soil, and cutting frequency.
How much does a square bale weigh?
Small squares: 40-65 lb. Large rounds: 800-1,500 lb. Always weigh a sample — weights vary significantly by operator and moisture.
How many bales does a cow need for winter?
A 1,200 lb cow eats about 2.5% body weight daily in hay. Over 120 days: roughly 40-50 small square bales or 2-3 round bales.
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