Hay Requirement Calculator
Calculate total hay needed for winter feeding based on herd size, daily intake, and feeding period length.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Hay is the largest winter expense for most livestock operations. A 1,200 lb cow eats about 26-30 lbs of hay per day. Waste ranges from 5% (bale feeders) to 30% (ground feeding). Proper storage and feeding methods save thousands.
The Formula
Tons = (Head × Daily Lbs × Days) ÷ (1 - Waste%) ÷ 2000
Variables
- Daily Lbs — Pounds of hay fed per head per day (beef cows: 26-30 lbs as-fed)
- Feeding Days — Number of days hay is the primary feed (120-180 days in northern US)
- Waste% — Feeding and storage losses (5-10% ring feeder, 15-25% unrolled, 30%+ ground fed)
Example
50 cows × 30 lbs/day × 150 days = 225,000 lbs. At 15% waste = 264,706 lbs = 132.4 tons. At $180/ton = $23,824.
Tips
- Cone-style bale feeders reduce waste from 25% to 5% — they pay for themselves in one season.
- Test hay quality — low-quality hay means cows eat more to meet nutritional needs.
- Buy hay in summer when prices are 20-30% lower than winter spot prices.
- Store hay on pallets or gravel to prevent bottom-bale spoilage (up to 20% loss).
- Limit-feeding higher-quality hay can reduce total hay needs by 15-20%.