Hay Storage Calculator (Livestock Winter Feed)
Calculate how many hay bales you need to feed your livestock through winter.
Covers cattle, horses, sheep, and goats by weight and feeding duration.
Hay Requirements by Species Livestock need roughly 2-2.5% of their body weight in dry matter per day. Hay is typically 85-90% dry matter. A 1,200 lb beef cow needs about 26-30 lbs of hay per day during winter when no pasture is available.
Common Daily Hay Requirements
- Beef cow (1,200 lb): 24-30 lbs/day
- Horse (1,100 lb): 18-25 lbs/day
- Dairy cow (1,400 lb): 30-35 lbs/day
- Sheep (150 lb): 3-4 lbs/day
- Goat (130 lb): 3-4 lbs/day
Bale Weights Square bales (small): 40-60 lbs. Large round bales: 800-1,200 lbs. Large square bales: 700-1,000 lbs. Always weigh a sample from your own supply — weights vary by crop, moisture, and baling pressure.
Storage Losses Round bales stored outside can lose 15-40% to weather and spoilage. Barn-stored bales lose 5-8%. Factor in 10-20% buffer for waste and unexpected bad weather days.