We could... I don't care to unroll a 1000 lb bale by hand, so a tractor and unroller would still be necessary, and at the very least a loader tractor or skid loader to carry the bale out and unroll it. I was able to buy this processor for just a little more than what a 3 point unroller would cost, benefits for me using a processor are 1- I can bring two bales out to the feeding area and save a trip back to the yard. 2- I feel that the cattle eat the processed bale better than a unrolled bale, especially poorer quality bales where it might have tougher stems or have dust that can be knocked out with the processor. 3- The processor is dual purpose for me, I also use it to bed my cattle in the yard.
That could be true when processing legumes, the majority of my hay is straight grass so I am not worried about leaf loss. When I have fed alfalfa or clover this way I have found that the processor makes the stems more palatable and the cattle usually clean the hay up right to the ground knocked off leaves and all! I've always said: "Opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one!"
@johnbuck6685 I would beg to differ on being the worst way. We do a lot of dry and wet alfalfa. You get a lot of control as to how big you want the windrow versus unrolling. He leaves that do get knocked off or put into the windrow If you've watched beef cattle eat Alfalfa it doesn't matter if it's chopped or as a whole bail and a feeder they will find a way to get them leaves with eating as little stem as possible
Whereabouts are you located
I'm over in Rock Creek
A guy isn't complaining about this winter with the cattle other than potential ice slip areas
Hi, we are over in the Upsala area, SW of Little Falls.
The lack of snow has made for easy chores so far this year!
Thanks for checking in! - Josh
why not just roll the bale? wouldn't need the tractor and implement.
We could... I don't care to unroll a 1000 lb bale by hand, so a tractor and unroller would still be necessary, and at the very least a loader tractor or skid loader to carry the bale out and unroll it. I was able to buy this processor for just a little more than what a 3 point unroller would cost, benefits for me using a processor are 1- I can bring two bales out to the feeding area and save a trip back to the yard. 2- I feel that the cattle eat the processed bale better than a unrolled bale, especially poorer quality bales where it might have tougher stems or have dust that can be knocked out with the processor. 3- The processor is dual purpose for me, I also use it to bed my cattle in the yard.
Worse way on the world to feed round bales knocks all the leaves off just unroll the bale
That could be true when processing legumes, the majority of my hay is straight grass so I am not worried about leaf loss. When I have fed alfalfa or clover this way I have found that the processor makes the stems more palatable and the cattle usually clean the hay up right to the ground knocked off leaves and all!
I've always said: "Opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one!"
@johnbuck6685 I would beg to differ on being the worst way. We do a lot of dry and wet alfalfa. You get a lot of control as to how big you want the windrow versus unrolling. He leaves that do get knocked off or put into the windrow
If you've watched beef cattle eat Alfalfa it doesn't matter if it's chopped or as a whole bail and a feeder they will find a way to get them leaves with eating as little stem as possible