Hay Cost Per Ton Calculator

How it is calculated

The tool turns a per-bale price into three comparable figures using the US ton of 2,000 lb. Cost per ton is price ÷ (weight ÷ 2000), cost per pound is price ÷ weight, and bales per ton is 2000 ÷ weight. Price is the dollars for one bale and weight is that bale's weight in pounds. Money is shown in dollars rounded to cents, so a cost per pound of only a few cents loses precision and the per-ton figure is the better one to compare. A weight of zero or less, or a negative price, shows no result. The tool always uses 2,000 lb, so for a metric tonne (about 2,205 lb) you must convert yourself.

Common mistakes

• Comparing prices per bale without checking weights. A $60 round bale can be far cheaper per ton than a $9 small square one, which is exactly what the per-ton figure shows.
• Entering the weight in kilograms. The field is pounds, so a 25 kg bale should be entered as about 55 lb, or the cost per ton will be about double the real value.
• Assuming the ton is a metric tonne. The tool uses the 2,000 lb US ton, and a 1,000 kg tonne is about 2,205 lb, so a per-tonne quote needs converting.
• Using a rounded or guessed bale weight. A few pounds either way moves the per-ton result noticeably on small bales, so weigh a few representative bales.
• Comparing only the price and not the quality. Moisture, dust, waste and feed value are not captured, so the cheapest ton is not always the cheapest feed.