New balers drive haymaking forward

Oct 27, 2024

New Massey Ferguson 1 Series round balers come in two variable-chamber models capable of producing 4x6 and 5x6 bales.

Deere’s new 1 Series offers automation which automatically opens and closes the gate at the right time, reducing operator fatigue and downtime.

What a difference a year makes. At the start of the ’23 hay season, the third year of drought across the Midwest and Plains continued, throttling hay production and lifting prices.

But just in the last month or so, the tide has turned.

Just one look at the U.S. Drought Monitor map shows improved conditions across the Great Plains and Corn Belt, where numerous frontal systems have dumped beaucoup moisture. And while there are still a few persistent dry areas (eastern Iowa and central Kansas), the map shows vast improvement in the key hay-growing regions.

Jeret Koenig, who runs a custom hay business with his four sons, thinks the recent deluge of moisture may result in a pull-back in hay prices.

“Prices of small squares will likely adjust downward after the first cutting, and prices of brome and grass hay could drop by as much $1 to $1.50 per bale,” he said.

Depending on the results of the first cutting, 5x6 round bales are also likely to turn lower, with the current price of $160 per bale sliding down to the $140 range, said Koenig, who runs his commercial hay business from his farm in Indianola, Iowa.

Even with the slight softening of prices, the improving hay conditions ought to translate into a strong hay tool market as we move into the season. And if it’s been some time since you were in the market, major hay tool makers have launched new round balers designed to give haymaking a lift.

Case in point is the new Massey Ferguson round baler introduced last summer. Designed by Hesston, the new 1 Series are available in two variable-chamber models, the RB.146, which produces up to 4x6-foot round bales, and the RB.156, which produces 5x6-foot bales.

The new models come standard with a camless pickup which is more efficient, reduces maintenance, noise and power requirements. In fact, you only need an 80-PTO hp tractor for the 4x6 RB146 and a 100-PTO hp tractor for the 5x6 RB156.

The new MF balers also feature a front-mounted net binding system for tighter, faster binding, an improved net braking design for easy one-handed adjustment without tools, and an innovative net roll loading rack that minimizes lifting and positioning.

“Baling dry hay and stover is incredibly demanding on hay equipment,” said Matt LeCroy, director of hay and harvesting for Massey Ferguson North America. “1 Series allows operators to maintain density while running at increased speeds.”

Claas has also introduced significant upgrades to its line of Varient 500 round balers. The new family of six models provides haymakers with greater reliability, optimized baling density and improved net wrapping, according to the company.

A new density management system allows you to control the density of the bale core — a handy feature when you want to produce soft-core bales when baling hay for example. The system also ensures more consistently shaped bales, even under difficult operating conditions and uneven windrows.

Also, a new standard rotor drop floor can be lowered hydraulically to clear blockages with the push of a button from the tractor cab. There’s a new net roll system which is positioned 10-inches lower than previous models, making it easier to change wrap rolls.

John Deere has taken a leap forward with the debut of its 1 Series round balers last fall. The new balers promise producers more consistent bale weights and optimal moisture levels.

Topping the list of 1 Series developments is the new Bale Doc technology which documents bale moisture and weight in near real time, according to Deere. That data can then flow into the John Deere Operations Center for post-harvest analysis — which can help producers make better-informed decisions regarding nutrient management to help maximize hay prices or to reduce fertilizer costs.

“No matter what the size of your operation, John Deere offers a 1 Series Round Baler that delivers consistent, high-quality round bales,” said Chase Milem, marketing manager for John Deere.

“Operators can see in real time what the moisture levels are of the bales they are making, right from the cab. This is information farmers can use to decide if they need to stop baling for the day or whether they should apply a preservative like John Deere Green-Gard.”

The new 1 Series also offers Deere’s Baler Automation which automatically opens and closes the gate at the right time, eliminating repetitive tasks, reducing operator stress and fatigue and improving output.

Other important upgrades include a new standard-equipped 8-inch G5e display which provides operators with greater visibility and control over baling operations. A new optional high-capacity pickup is available that field tests showed offered a 33% increased capacity compared to previous models

The John Deere 1 Series Round Baler lineup includes the 451E, 451M, 451R, 461M, 461R, 551M, 561M and 561R. The “E” model is equipped with a regular pickup, the “M” baler is equipped with the MegaWide Plus pickup, and the “R” model is equipped with the high-capacity or the high-capacity and precutting feeding system.

Finally, New Holland has announced that it’s changing up the paint scheme of its round balers and forage harvesters to a vivid yellow. The move commemorates 50 years of manufacturing round balers and is designed to represent a more unified brand image, the company said.

The transition to the yellow scheme begins with commercial hay tools for late model year 2024, then model year 2025 for Pro-Belt round balers.

Rick Haun has more than 35 years’ experience writing about ag and industrial equipment, much of that time with John Deere. He resides in Shawnee, Kansas.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Winter brings challenges to most aspects of agriculture, but those challenges may be heightened when dealing with hogs.

Milking time on a dairy farm is a balancing act between maintaining cleanliness and calmness while moving quickly enough to finish on time and…

Editor’s note: The following was written by Gary Schnitkey, Nick Paulson, Brittney Goodrich and Jim Baltz with the University of Illinois, Bra…