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Hay Requirement Calculator

Bales and tons needed to feed a herd through winter.

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Rex says

Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.

Try a scenario

Click to load — tweak from there.

Inputs

Result

Bales needed

144

Total hay (tons)

86.3

Total hay cost

$9,360

Daily herd need (lb)

1,438

Cost per head per day

$1.95

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How to use this

  1. 1Enter head to feed.
  2. 2Enter average body weight (lb).
  3. 3Enter daily intake (% of body weight).
  4. 4Enter feeding days.
  5. 5Enter feeding waste (%).
  6. 6Enter bale weight (lb).
  7. 7Enter price per bale ($).
  8. 8Read your bales needed on the right — it updates as you type.
  9. 9Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.

About this calculator

Calculate the winter hay supply from herd size, body weight, feeding days, and waste — then convert it to bale count and total feed cost.

FormulaDaily need = weight × intake % × (1 + waste); bales = total lb ÷ bale weight.

Worked example

Using the values the calculator loads with:

Inputs

  • Head to feed: 40
  • Average body weight: 1250 lb
  • Daily intake: 2.5 % of body weight
  • Feeding days: 120
  • Feeding waste: 15 %
  • Bale weight: 1200 lb
  • Price per bale: 65 $

Results

  • Bales needed: 144
  • Total hay (tons): 86.3
  • Total hay cost: $9,360
  • Daily herd need (lb): 1,438
  • Cost per head per day: $1.95

What each field means

Inputs

Head to feed
The head to feed used in the calculation. Starts at 40 so you have a working example on load.
Average body weight (lb)
The average body weight used in the calculation, measured in lb. Starts at 1250 lb so you have a working example on load.
Daily intake (% of body weight)
The daily intake used in the calculation, measured in % of body weight. Starts at 2.5 % of body weight so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–4 % of body weight.
Feeding days
The feeding days used in the calculation. Starts at 120 so you have a working example on load.
Feeding waste (%)
The feeding waste used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 15 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–50 %.
Bale weight (lb)
The bale weight used in the calculation, measured in lb. Starts at 1200 lb so you have a working example on load.
Price per bale ($)
The price per bale used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 65 $ so you have a working example on load.

Results

Bales needed
Returned as a whole number and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
Total hay (tons)
Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
Total hay cost
Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
Daily herd need (lb)
Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
Cost per head per day
Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.

FAQ

How much waste is normal?

Unrolled on the ground can hit 30–40%. A well-designed ring feeder holds it near 5–10%, which pays for the feeder in one season.

Should I feed by weight or by bale?

By weight. Round bale weights vary 20% or more between fields, and paying by the bale without weighing is a gamble.

Accuracy and limitations

  • Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
  • Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
  • Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.

Cite this calculator

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APA
RevenueLab. (2026). Hay Feeding & Bale Requirement Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hay-bale-needs
HTML
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hay-bale-needs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hay Feeding & Bale Requirement Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Markdown
Source: [Hay Feeding & Bale Requirement Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hay-bale-needs) (2026).
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