How this calculator works
Price per US ton = bale price ÷ bale weight in lb × 2,000. Price per metric tonne = bale price ÷ bale weight in kg × 1,000. A US short ton is 2,000 lb (about 907.18 kg); a metric tonne is 1,000 kg. Bale weights vary widely—a small square can run 40-70 lb and a round bale 700-1,200+ lb—so prices quoted per bale are not directly comparable.
A 50 lb square bale at $6 can sound cheaper than a 1,000 lb round bale at $100 even when the square is $240/US ton and the round $200/US ton. Sellers traditionally quote per bale, so buyers need to convert. The round-vs-square calculator adds feeding waste and whole-season cost when bale format is also part of the decision.
Dry matter removes water weight from the comparison. Enter the percentage from a forage test. The calculator multiplies bale weight by that share, then divides price by the dry weight. A $100/US ton offer at 90% dry matter costs about $111.11 per dry-matter US ton; a $90/US ton offer at 75% costs $120 per dry-matter US ton, so the higher sticker price is the cheaper dry feed. This is an economic comparison only: it does not say whether either hay has enough protein, energy, or digestibility for an animal.
Start with the target from the winter hay calculator. Ask for bale weight or weigh a representative bale: moisture, cutting and baler settings affect it. Leave Offer B blank for one conversion, or complete both offers. For a dry-matter target, each active offer needs a forage-test percentage; the calculator rounds up to whole bales.
Delivery can reverse the comparison. Enter a flat charge, a mileage rate and distance, or both for each offer. The calculator adds these to the whole-bale invoice. Include taxes, unloading, minimum fees and return mileage yourself if applicable. Check the load’s floor-space requirement in the hay storage calculator.
Method: as-fed price per US ton = price per bale ÷ bale weight in lb × 2,000; as-fed price per metric tonne = price per bale ÷ bale weight in kg × 1,000; as-fed price per ton ÷ entered dry-matter share = price per dry-matter ton; landed total = rounded whole-bale invoice + flat delivery + (rate per mile × miles). Use the same mass unit for both offers, including dry-matter comparisons. Mississippi State University Extension recommends comparing hay values on a dry-matter, per-ton basis, and NDSU Extension publishes the same dry-matter price adjustment. No dry-matter default is assumed. Estimates only — confirm actual bale weight, lab result, quality, order terms, and delivery charges with the seller.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hay price per bale to price per ton?
Per US ton: bale price ÷ weight in lb × 2,000. Per metric tonne: bale price ÷ weight in kg × 1,000. Illustrative example: $6 for 20 kg = $300/metric tonne.
Why compare hay prices per ton instead of per bale?
Bale weights vary, so a cheaper bale may cost more by weight. Compare both offers in the same unit: per metric tonne or kg, or per US ton or lb; dry matter, quality and delivery costs also matter.
How many bales should I order for a target amount of hay?
Enter the target in kg or metric tonnes, or lb or US tons, according to your selected units. BaleMath divides by each offer’s bale weight, rounds up to whole bales, and compares the complete orders.
Plan the rest of the barn
BaleMath is free to use. Numbers are planning estimates, not a purchase guarantee — confirm actual weight and price with the seller.