Hay Feeding Calculator
How many bales of hay your herd needs over a feeding season, with waste
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Quick summary
Enter your animal count, average weight, daily hay rate (about 2.5% of body weight), feeding days, bale weight, and a feeding-waste percentage to get total hay and bales needed. Thirty 1,200-lb cows fed for 120 days at 2.5% with 15% waste need about 124,200 lb — roughly 62 tons, or 125 one-thousand-pound round bales. Feeding waste is real: bales fed without a ring can lose 25%+, so a feeder pays for itself.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Frequently asked questions
How many bales of hay do I need for winter?
Multiply daily hay per animal (about 2.5% of body weight) by animals and feeding days, add a waste allowance, then divide by bale weight. Thirty 1,200-lb cows for 120 days at 2.5% with 15% waste need roughly 124,200 lb — about 125 thousand-pound bales. Enter your numbers for a precise count.
How much hay does a cow eat per day?
Roughly 2–2.5% of body weight in hay on a dry-matter basis — about 24–30 lb a day for a 1,200-lb cow, before waste. Growing, lactating, or cold-stressed animals eat more. This calculator uses the rate you enter, so you can match it to your herd and conditions.
How much hay is wasted feeding round bales?
A lot without a feeder — studies show 25% or more can be trampled, soiled, or refused when round bales are fed on the ground. Hay rings, cone, or cradle feeders cut waste to around 5–15%. The waste percentage here inflates the total so you buy enough; lowering waste directly stretches your supply.
Do bale weights really vary that much?
Yes. A '4x5' round bale might weigh 600–1,200+ lb depending on size, density, and moisture, and square bales range widely too. Because bale count depends directly on weight, weigh a few of your bales rather than guessing — it's the input that most affects the result.
Key terms
- Feeding Waste
- Hay trampled, soiled, or refused; 5–25%+ depending on the feeder.
- Dry Matter
- Feed excluding moisture; the basis for the ~2.5% intake rate.
- Round Bale
- A large cylindrical bale; weight varies widely with size and density.
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.