Hay Bales and Balage

Hi all!!

I am possibly looking at setting up a business baling hay and balage in either conventional squares or 1.5 equiv rounds.

Aimed directily at Lifestyler's and small blocks here in the Manawatu and hopefully the Horowhenua.

We are looking more into the small 1.5 equiv rounds at the moment. These bales weigh slightly more than conventional's but are still easily handled by one person, fit in a wheelbarrow or on a quad bike.

In the case of balage, we would apply Inoculant to ensure correct fermentation and reduce the risk of spoiling at no extra cost and to make it more appealing than conventional's, it would cost the same to make a 1.5 equiv compared to conventional's, even though they are larger!!

Thoughts on this?? Anyone interested??

Hi we are in Halcombe we had balage made one year, 2 bale equivalent about 50 kg easy for two to lift or one person to roll. They were great but this year it was too wet to make hay so we made 13 conventional large rounds...difficult to manage without a tractor. So I would be interested in small rounds. We make about 300 conventional bales per year.
What would you be charging for small rounds or conventional balls

Pity you are not over here - were talking yesterday about needing someone to make small bales of baleage.

Hi all,
It's still a scheme in process. Biggest hurdle is getting enough people interested to make the investment in equipment viable.

We certainly would look into working in other areas, just a logistical challenge in mowing, wilting and baling so far from home. But anything's possible!!! several years in Ag Contracting has taught me this!!!!

Working with big equipment and on small blocks made me see a market among small block holders for balage and even small conventional bales.

Word of mouth is the best advertising so feel free to discuss among friends!!

With the right amount of people interested the scheme may come reality!!!

Still working on pricing but the aim is to be competitive and worth while.

Small conventional bales will always have appeal to small block holders. They are easy to pick up and stack well in a barn. Easy too, to feed out in the winter when sometimes even small tractors will tear up the paddocks, and they are easy to guestimate the amount to feed to a given mob, or a horse, where large round bales are difficult without the right gear, or bigger numbers of stock to make it worthwhile.

Absolutely agree!!! That is why we would make small 1.5 eqiv rounds in balage or hay, and also make conventional hay bales. Unfortunately making conventional squares into balage becomes very labour intensive, making it more expensive.

The wrapping equipment for conventional's that is available to make it more automated and less labour intensive, is rather expensive and is very slow in operation, again pushing pricing up.

The aim is making it a cost effective, quality service for small block owners. Whilst offering small rounds, conventional squares, mowing, raking, tedding (if needed) and baling. Of course easily handled without large equipment!!

I greatly value any ideas and recommendations. Most appreciated.

Hi
Whereabouts are you?

Hi, Based in Feilding, Manawatu.

Hi There - new to all of this. Are you still bailing conventional hay and balage? Advice appreciated. Thanks.

I would be interested, have a lifestyle property near Rongotea, and have a 3.5 acre paddock just for hay. We have horses so really only interested in conventional bales. Do you know when you would be setting up?