How Many Square Bales Are in an Acre?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 03, 2020

The yield of square bales of hay per acre depends upon several factors. These include the type of hay planted, the climate in which it is planted, weather patterns that occurred during the growing season, at what stage of growth the hay was cut, and the fertility of the soil.

University extension services can provide valuable and specific information about expected hay yields in different areas of the country as well as providing recommendations for the best hay to plant in those regions. The size and weight of hay bales is not standardized, so estimates using tons per acre may be more useful when doing comparisons.