Calculate hay and silage yield in tonnes per hectare, estimate bale numbers, and calculate cost of production. Plan fodder budgets for livestock.
Pasture mass 4,000 kg DM/ha, residual 1,000 kg. 50 hectares. Making hay (85% DM).
At $120/tonne production cost, total cost = $15,300 or $60/bale.
Hay yield = (Pasture mass before − Residual) × Dry matter %. Example: 4,000 − 1,000 = 3,000 kg × 0.85 = 2.55 t/ha hay.
Round bales (500kg): 5-8 bales/ha. Square bales (350kg): 7-12 bales/ha. Small squares (20kg): 125-200 bales/ha.
Mowing $15-25/ha, Raking $10-15/ha, Baling $20-40/ha (round) or $50-80/ha (square). Total $80-150/ha plus fertiliser. Cost per tonne: $50-100/t for grass hay.
Grass: Early heading stage (before seed head emerges). Lucerne: 10-20% flowering. Avoid cutting when rain forecast within 3 days. Cut in late morning after dew dries.