When choosing a hay baler for your farm, the decision often comes down to square vs. round bales. Because each type of bale is made with a different kind of hay baler, choosing which type will be most ideal for you is an important step—you don’t want to buy the wrong equipment and discover too late that you’d prefer to be making a different type of bale.
There aren’t many things more satisfying than having a farm that is as self-sufficient as possible, and when it comes to livestock nutrition and feeding your livestock, making your own hay is a great idea. The two most common types of hay bales are small square bales and large round bales. There are other types as well, such as large square bales and small round bales, but they aren’t as common.
Key Takeaways
- Hay balers typically produce either square bales or round bales.
- Square hay balers are ideal for smaller farms and manual handling.
- Round hay balers reduce labor and work well for larger operations.
- Square bales are easier to stack and store.
- Round bales generally require machinery for transport and feeding.
- The best hay baler depends on your acreage, livestock and available equipment.
Types of Hay Balers
Hay baler...

