Our Farm's 80,000 Bale Processing System: In-depth Look

The video many have been waiting for! An in-depth look at our rebaling system for the 2022-2023 winter season. Enjoy!
Video clip taken from Universal Picture's 2000 film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

[@timjames6190]

I’m in the UK 🇬🇧 and I really enjoy the channel keep it up its great to see farming done in the USA 🇺🇸 thanks for sharing you life on the farm 👍🙏💯

[@markheater470]

The haters are miserable and want everyone else miserable. Your channel is definitely my favorite and I look forward to every new video. Your previous videos are even great to go back again and view. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!! THANK YOU

[@FarmingInsider]

You're the best! Thank you

[@HartungFamilyFarms]

Haters gonna hate! Keep it up because the stuff you guys do is sweeeeeeet 😂

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much man! I appreciate that!

[@jimmyjohnson7041]

"Haters" as you call them are often confused with people whom express their real concerns or opinions. But others dont understand the point made.

[@catherinecampbell8540]

Great video with a good explanation. You asked about the excess twine…crafters that weave hats, mats, baskets, etc, would love it for their projects, as the pieces are decent sized. The excess chaff on the floor…animal bedding that you could offer for free to those willing to pick it up. Small homesteads would benefit from this for sure. Keep up the good work.

[@FarmingInsider]

All it would take is a couple FB posts and maybe this could happen. Great thinking

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

One of our Helpers has goats. we give it to him

[@Pigpen1202]

I like to listen to you explain everything going on 😊

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you Brian!

[@hamptonroberson]

I really enjoy your videos. I think the entire crew is excellent. The explanation of what’s going on is great. Keep up the good work and Kudos to you.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much Larry!

[@georgea.dockery1822]

One of the coolest things I've seen in a while 👍

[@FarmingInsider]

Wow, thank you George!

[@georgea.dockery1822]

Would like to one day tour your farm operations...... If possible 😏

[@georgea.dockery1822]

@Farming Insider

[@ronkmiecik7442]

Awesome video! Wondered how the retailing process worked and now I know. Thanks for all the details of the whole operation which made sense of the whole process. Beef cattle would love that waste while it is still dry and not fermented in the compost pile. Great job!

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

HE is not the only one doing it........

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks for the view! I think getting this to beef would be a good, next step in efficiency

[@jonbruce536]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I grew up with a Deere 24T thrower baler which was horrible. We traded for a Deere 336 which in 1975 was a dream come true. I used to think 20,000 kicker bales stacked by hand in a loft was a stroke of business. Watching this really shows how much technology has come in 50 years and how small we were. I love your business and what you're doing.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you! 20,000 stacked by hand is extremely impressive. That it getting is done

[@donady341]

Really nice to see all the thought and innovation that goes into an operation of this magnitude. Thanks for sharing. Smart people to build that organization and make it profitable

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much!

[@michealfarley9423]

Great explaining for new ppl!! Thank you! 'waste' could be good bedding, just have to bag it up n be able to sell that or if they could come get in something could just load!! Just a thought from farmer at heart! Keep up the great content

[@FarmingInsider]

Great idea! Thank you for the support

[@johncox4249]

I watched this video and you never explained why you didn’t make small bales to begin with. I appreciate your videos and explanations. Keep up the good work.

[@richardclay7574]

If rain is coming they put in big bales to get under roof

[@johncox4249]

@@richardclay7574 thanks for your answer to my question

[@FarmingInsider]

Richard got it. It’s a time constraint issue and we also buy large squares from other producers

[@johncox4249]

@@FarmingInsider Thanks for the answer. Keep making videos.

[@bladewiper]

Personally I like the behind the scenes stuff, and the though process.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you! comments like this are why we do it :)

[@briandahlgren3494]

Another great video, and no I didn’t skip ahead 😆 You have one awesome setup. Keep them coming.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you Brian! I’ll do my best

[@evedallas8667]

I LOVE EVERYTHING you all do and I'm not skipping anything! Rock On!

[@FarmingInsider]

You’re the best! Thank you!

[@fordranger678]

I've done a lot of farming never done rebaling love watching the rebaling meat process

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@aidenkoster6427]

I really enjoy and appreciate the effort you put into these videos

[@FarmingInsider]

I appreciate that! Thank you!

[@sergiosousa6629]

I have learned so much from watching your videos. You and your whole team are doing a awesome job. Keep the videos comming

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks, will do!

[@PA_Wilds_Coyote]

Your awesome!! Keep up the videos and your operation is top notch.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much John!

[@nathanrobinson7715]

I don't hate you. I think all farmers are a blessing. Don't know how to fast forward. I'd love to have a job like yours.

[@bill9941]

We've been rebaling hay for 12 years and I'm impressed with the setup you've come up with in 2-3 years. Looks like you get pretty good production out of it. I looked at the messicks system when they first came out and didn't think it was fast enough but it looks like its doing well for you when you're running good hay.

[@FarmingInsider]

We think it’s a good machine as long as the material is baled good and dry

[@lancecornell5371]

Great explanation of the setup

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you sir!!

[@rudycote5208]

Love rebaling video!!! I want more!!!😊

[@FarmingInsider]

More to come!

[@harveypenner2386]

I think you're awesome! Love your videos!! You are doing a great job!!!

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much Harvey!

[@mikep7810]

Pretty cool operation. Nice job

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks Mike!

[@idahofarmer6775]

Very well done.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you kindly!

[@dustinsfarmall82]

Great video as always. I love how you have the rebaling set up and how you explain everything. Keep up the good work!! Can’t wait till the next one.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you! More coming!

[@andrewfisher9699]

Great video. Really enjoy all of your videos!

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much Andrew!

[@vincemccormick6273]

Very Good ,thank you for sharing

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you!

[@ezpz489]

Impressive set up...thanks for the video

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks for watching!

[@pms146]

I could watch this set up all day 👌

[@ronzimmerman8968]

Any hay producers in our area are small compared to your operation. It's fun watching a pro do it!

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks for checking us out!

[@richardmcmanus2587]

Hearing protection around those noisy bailer is good idea.

[@danadams8718]

Good set up! You do what you gotta do to keep the cash flow moving.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you Dan! That’s the key to this all.

[@ProudPapaw88]

Nice operation. I hope your guys wear hearing devices working around that beast, wow loud! Thanks for sharing!

[@FarmingInsider]

That’s not a bad idea to maybe get a decibel reading to make sure it is safe levels, but personally I think the camera made it seem way louder than it actually is. You can have a normal volume conversation right next to the set up. Thank you for kind words

[@frankscruggs4749]

Good video and impressive operation.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you for the support Frank!

[@ronaldblair7321]

Excellent video keep them coming 👍

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks, will do!

[@larsmadsen8351]

Don't think rebailing is a thing where I live, so it was super interesting to see this setup and the explanation

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks for watching!

[@tymelessfarmsllc8447]

I enjoy you videos, you really do a great job producing these videos. I grow hay in western Indiana, and sell small square bales as well. Keep up the good work. I'd love to come visit your farm one day. I'm always up to learning new things. And sharing my experiences.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much for the kind words! Come on over

[@rickrick7309]

Great video

[@bladewiper]

Hello Anya, welcome to the team.

[@FarmingInsider]

She loves to help try to edit these videos haha

[@davidhoover4947]

That’s a great setup you have there

[@alistairholroyd4071]

Great videos never mind the haters they just don’t need to watch if they don’t like it

[@FarmingInsider]

Agree! their comments only help the algorithm lol

[@averyparsegian3340]

Give the string to a graden center, gardener use string to tie up their crops

[@FarmingInsider]

Good idea!

[@donrock6800]

I like seeing Karl in your videos

[@FarmingInsider]

We do too!

[@markerickson7116]

I Really enjoy your videos, keep them coming. All the haters out there, laugh at them all the way to the bank! In 2018 I set up a permanent rebailing setup , in my opinion the only place for a small baler is in the barn.

[@benjaminyoung2454]

Thanks for another great video explaining the whole process. It must of been last year, I remember you guys setting the re-baler up like this as well for the first time. Not sure if you had the Barron then? And it's clearly been effective in limiting the dust. Keep up the awesome work and thanks again for bringing the world along with you. God Bless from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much for watching up all this time Ben!

[@dalebargen]

You’re very creative! I’m glad it is profitable for you! In your climate, would 3 sided sheds make more sense for easy access?

[@FarmingInsider]

We have neighbors with open sheds, if they are faced the right direction they seem to do OK with them.

[@bloggstargaming9806]

Hey mate, I love your content and you have a great crew, that Carl cracks me up 😂. Keep up the good work mate cheers from AUS 🇦🇺👍

[@FarmingInsider]

I need Carl to come around more!

[@fabiancanada8876]

Just for me to understand: you are making big square bales and then make them again into small square bales. This allows you to use your big machinery and become efficient and fast and scale up (80,000 bales is not a small operation). You do not have lift a single square bale by hand which is nice :-) But then you depend on big (expensive) machinery, infrastructure (big buildings,..) which has its challenges as well. Thanks for the video it was very interesting and you explained it well. I loved that you pointed out that you hate throwing the white twine away and I hope you can find somebody that can use it. Also with the fine/dusty hay that gets thrown out- I am sure that could be put to good use for something (I would take it al if I could l :-))

[@hollandduck79]

hello from the Netherlands . thanks for the video . Sincerely Hollandduck

[@bobdubree4718]

On String, find Landscape or Nursery . They can use to tarp plants .

[@FarmingInsider]

Great idea

[@nathanrobinson7715]

Your camera is awesome.

[@andyrobinson339]

Great explanation! Now I get it! And don't let the bastards get you down! The only part I don't get is why you are in the position to have to rebale in the first place? It is a very intensive process and uses a ton of resources. Creates a lot of waste of both hay and twine. Why not just make more bundles in the field? Who is buying your large squares to begin with? Keep up the great work!

[@Torchedini]

It is the time constraint and people constraint during harvest , When the hay is ready you can't bale that quickly with small bales. So you have a small window to bale. Large squares bale quickly. Go watch the other videos of them getting it from the field in small square. A small square is around 20kg, large goes for about 350 to 500kg. so that is 17 to 20 times less binding. Handling is easier to because you don't need a stacker, you can run a single telehandler to run the same amount of hay off the field. Efficiency of single person working is so much higher. But small squares still make more money.

[@andyrobinson339]

@@Torchedini Thanks...makes sense. Like any other business, it all comes down to efficiency!

[@FarmingInsider]

Awesome answer by @torchedini . Absolutely nailed it

[@RovalisGTO]

Awesome system, awesome video! Maybe you could find a tailor or weaver with an industrial machine to splice all that twine back together.

[@stakman78]

You're awesome mate, your video endings are very abrupt. Lol And look it's not easy carrying a camera around. Keep up the great work mate from New Zealand. And it's obvious to those of us who know what the weather and hay juggling, big square can gobble it up when rain is coming.

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you very much sir!! Yes, endings are usually. Unexpected, to both me and the viewers haha

[@hammerhayllc]

Awesome set up! 250 / hour is pretty awesome. I'm sure thats a hell of a step from when you guys were using the Chainless Hustler unroller! I would be curious about round bale conversion rate (like @HayMap operation). I really do like the Steffen grapple handling both bundles and big squares. Especially when it comes to grappling 63 bales in the 3 bundles! Those barons sure do some work! Plan on selling the Arcusins? Always got to show the crew and you in these films, thats one of the biggest parts of storytelling!

[@bill9941]

We rebale hay full time with a machine we built that does both big squares and rounds. We spit out a bundle about every 3 minutes doing big squares and every 4 minutes with rounds. We are working on a new piece for our system that will hopefully speed up the round bale process..

[@FarmingInsider]

Yes sir, the Arcusins are for sale. We may keep one because they really do have a purpose. Be it bundling other people’s less consistent hay or working with higher moisture hay

[@jerodengblom4331]

Might be worth having Carl see if he can find a tractor motor and transmission that would be big enough to run everything and then be able to put hours on a cheaper motor setup

[@FarmingInsider]

We actually have looked at some motors and we have a buddy that wants $7500 for one that just needs a little work. I think it’s an excellent idea to pursue in the future. Lord knows these tractor hours aren’t cheap

[@Torchedini]

@@FarmingInsider No electric conversion option? Since engines aren't that efficiënt.

[@peterschiltz5428]

That's a cool rebale setup! I'm curious on how many small balers it would take to keep up with the large square baler in the field?

[@bill9941]

3-4 I would guess.

[@FarmingInsider]

I would agree with Bill at 3-4. The clean up is also very quick. No need to then bundle

[@terryallred5012]

Maybe you could put the fine waste into a pellet machine and extrude it. I think it would be high in protein value. 🤔 😀

[@FarmingInsider]

We have had this exact thought. It has maintained a thought without action after pricing some pellet machines lol

[@65882Plus2]

Here in our county of MN a local dairyman goes around twice a year and collects the twine and takes it to a recycling place in Albert Lea I belive.

[@FarmingInsider]

send him our way!

[@curtcarlson96]

I absolutely love your videos. We make a little hay here in Central Minnesota. You said your hay is a mixture of Timothy and light Orchard Grass. Is Light the variety? What kind of Timothy do you plant? Timfor?

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks for the kind words Curt! I just mean light as in low ratio of orchard to the Timothy. I think our most recent round of planting we planted warrior 2 orchard grass and I can’t for the life of me remember the Timothy variety but it was the longest season maturity offered

[@curtcarlson96]

@@FarmingInsider Don't mean to be a pest here but what ratio would you say? Like one third Orchard to two thirds Timothy? If you are not planting alfalfa but just grass hay is that all you plant? Ever plant Birdsfoot Trefoil? Thank you so much for your reply!

[@FarmingInsider]

You’re not a pest! I think we were 12 lbs Timothy and 8 lbs orchard in this particular field. Yes, those are the only grasses we ever plant. We will start to naturally get blue grass varieties as the fields get older

[@dennisenright7725]

What do you find that this increases how much a tonne you can get for your hay? Customers will obviously pay more for small bales that are easier to handle for someone not equipped to move big bales but i am wondering what the actual difference in price per tonne is.

[@FarmingInsider]

It can be double when demand gets higher later in the winter. I’m buying hay for roughly $200/ton right now and they will resell for $380-400/ton

[@JonasDeman]

can you explain why you need to rebale in the first place? You already have bails to start with and make new (smaller) bales. whats the benefit?

[@FarmingInsider]

Yes Jonas I will dig into it next video we discuss this. Mostly to meet demand

[@jimmy_digz1319]

The world of the web cyber bullies formed off little opinions. Enjoying this scale of operations watching from new Zealand 🤙

[@robertjung4996]

Miller Farms, great videos! I enjoy them all, especially the rebaling videos. With all the line of equipment for reballing, what do you figure you have in total feet, from the destroyer to the Bale Baron?

[@jamesfranks545]

Great operation there. I may have missed it and obviously there is a good reason, but can you tell me why the hay isn't just small baled in the field instead of large baled then made into small bales later. Is it a time thing?

[@FarmingInsider]

That's exactly right, it was a weather crunch, time issue (with this batch), but we are getting into product bought from other sources soon

[@jamesfranks545]

@@FarmingInsider Thanks for the reply. Wishing you guys' continued success.

[@chewbaccafrombehind3839]

👍👍

[@FarmingInsider]

Thanks!

[@padairyfarming6489]

What’s your science behind light orchard among the Timothy?

[@FarmingInsider]

No real science, we always try to plant a blend and the Timothy just came up stronger lol

[@padairyfarming6489]

@@FarmingInsider do you ever get two cuttings off Timothy orchard fields?

[@brandonglenney60]

Watching from across Lake Erie in southern Ontario. 1. Do you think there is a advantage rebaling large squares vs round bales other than capacity and handling? 2. I’ve heard with rebaling the final product doesn’t have a nice solid “flake” to it compared to out of the field?

[@FarmingInsider]

The product can get a little “chaffy” but it’s functional. I don’t really think there is a huge advantage, it’s just how our set up works

[@dalebargen]

The waste makes a great compost pile! Do you spread it back on the fields?

[@FarmingInsider]

We do after some time!

[@jeremyhamlin2667]

Watch out!! that reversing auger looks like it could do some damage! (hopefully I got the terminology correct!!)

[@stevetheiss3112]

I can't stop laughing. Keep up the good work. Haters gonna hate

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you! We are trying

[@abrahmschank2378]

Have you ever tried to rebale large squares of alfalfa? If so do you have a lot of shatter and how does the small bale turn out?

[@FarmingInsider]

We have never tried alfalfa

[@tractorguy]

On average, how many small squares do you get from a large square?

[@FarmingInsider]

23-27 is a pretty standard range

[@Saunis]

If there's a biogas plant nearby, you could sell that dirtyhay over there.

[@FarmingInsider]

Good idea

[@gordonverrall1477]

If you cut the strings on the knots then it can be used for other purposes.

[@FarmingInsider]

What purposes are you thinking of?

[@jimmyjohnson7041]

As a dairy farmer..... I dealt with large square bales of hay. Almost all bales have to be treated with a preservative to prevent them from heating / molding. I bought a semi load of large square bales from western Iowa. I told the seller.... I wanted to try " one " bale and if my cows would not eat it I would refuse the entire load......paying for only the bale I took off the load. I put one large square bale in my round bale feeder.......and 10 small square bales of hay that I baled myself in another bale feeder......here at home. The cows would not touch the large square bale ! Instead the cows gathered around the round bale feeder with my small squares in it. Bottom line....... the preservative sinks ! Cows wont touch it......thats why farmers have TMRs.....to blend the hay in so the cows will eat it. So.......rebaling big squares........you have the same issue. Cattle will almost starve before the eat them ! Been there done that ! Beware !

[@FarmingInsider]

Jimmy I really encourage you not to base an entire industry and format of hay off 1 load you dealt with from western Iowa. 1st cutting is often so dry we don’t use preservative

[@jimmyjohnson7041]

@@FarmingInsider Trust me.......as a dairy farm...... its not the " first " load of hay I dealt with where preservatives were used ! Its criminal when you buy a semi load of hay and nothing will eat it ! I had two loads I bought before I wised up to what was going on. Thats why I chose to give the seller an option to allow me to void the entire load if the cows would not eat the third load. The preservative stinks........and now that I am familiar with the smell... I know better. So do you disclose if you use preservatives before selling the hay ? It should be required to disclose if preservatives are added. No different then food humans consume.

[@FarmingInsider]

I do my best to educate the customer on the hay they are buying

[@jimmyjohnson7041]

@@FarmingInsider The question was.........do you disclose whether preservatives are use ?

[@jimmyjohnson7041]

@@FarmingInsider So......if I bought a semi load of hay from yous.......and my cattle / horses / sheep/ would not eat it......comparing my own hay .. I could refuse the load ?

[@karlrovey]

You used Millenial Farmer's snap trick.

[@FarmingInsider]

I did!

[@johnjacobjinglehimerschmid3555]

So you just reprocess your large bale into small bales for those that can't move a large bale around? JUst wondering why this is done.

[@FarmingInsider]

That’s exactly right

[@Northernman68]

So are you guys going to start baling more of the smaller bales this summer

[@FarmingInsider]

It’s always a goal. It’s just weather dependent is all

[@accountxabcdef]

250 bales/hour sounds slow to me, our record stationary baling is st around 30.000lbs/hour (limited by feeder), should be 750bales/hour with your weight, normaly we are around 20.000lbs/hour (often limited by crew). But great view on your chain, nice and clean setup! Tractors outside is very nice for them.

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

Basically your operation is very simular to ours except you do big squares and we do 4x5 rounds.......Want to make that ramp slippery glue linoeum on it....

[@FarmingInsider]

It is finished plywood so it does pretty well as is, but that's a good thought if we need it

[@hammerhayllc]

@farmingforfunandprofit940 - what do you guys figure for your small square bale rate? You think it is around that 250 / hour on perfect conditions?

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

@@hammerhayllc Today 1/7/23 we converted about 80 4x5 rounds into 75- 21 bale bundles,,,for a total bale count of 1575 in 5 hrs which comes to 315 bales per hour everything clicked

[@thomasklein6954]

Amazing

[@FarmingInsider]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Bagadeso]

das ist genau die scheiße auf die ich bock hab!

[@FarmingInsider]

Hit the spot!

[@Bagadeso]

@@FarmingInsider hahahaha

[@lstan444]

You could make it a dungeon

[@FarmingInsider]

Lol.... Maybe a future video

[@jonathandryland3062]

which is the better machine the barron or the arcusin

[@FarmingInsider]

They both have their place. The baron has better capacity, but as far as rebaling goes the arcusin never halted production for a bale being too long. Pros and cons to both truthfully

[@dennisenright7725]

Do you get more than one bale baron pack per square bahe?

[@FarmingInsider]

Yes, we get 23-27ish bales out of a large square and a baron pack is 21

[@SilverFlame819]

I wish farmers in my area did this. They all got rid of their small balers completely. I hate the big bales!

[@jeffandjanebelstra182]

We make big squares Maybe I missed it How many big squares does it take to make the final big squares

[@duanehanson8842]

Hey Man, I like you. But the whole picture is better. Just saying!

[@FarmingInsider]

For sure!!

[@serdarsehirli2546]

What is the selling price of the ballet baron machine in the back?

[@FarmingInsider]

140,000

[@rodneydufrain3623]

I'm surprised you don't keep a few beef cows to utilize the wast that your pushing out the door.

[@FarmingInsider]

That’s really an excellent idea

[@fnadarrel]

I was once told if your gonna be in the hay business part of the business model was to keep a small herd of beef cows for the “oh well we tried” hay days love seeing the baron work, made just a half hour away from me

[@marcellauzon9883]

Very good video!

[@huskersvikings1]

I probably missed the answer why do you bale large squares rather than small squares in the field. I’m assuming you are doing it this way because you can bale the field faster and end up with more consistent small squares after reprocessing. You probably wouldn’t want to do this with alfalfa due to the loss of leaves.

[@loganstump3004]

I've watched yall for awhile now and I've gotta ask do yall prefer the barron or the acursions for bundling

[@andreash6113]

Habt ihr schon mal was von Krone big Pack multi bale gehört? Oder ist das keine Option. Die Technik wäre vor Ort.

[@jameshall169]

how many little bales from one 3×4

[@FarmingInsider]

between 23-27 or so

[@1Corinthians151-4]

what made yall not go with bale wagons?

[@markwoten6679]

So aside from are it, you’re taking the big bales and making smaller bales to sale to the public. How many smaller bales are tied together at the end of the rebaling process?

[@FarmingInsider]

It’s a 21 bale bundle of smaller bales

[@longviewfarm226]

What do you like better and why arcusin or bandit?

[@FarmingInsider]

The baron has better capacity but they both really do have their place in operations