Howdy friends! I have a quick tip for my friends that feed with hay rings on your homestead and farm. If you use the heavy welded steel pipe/steel plate rings, this may not apply, but here we go...
I use the lighter weight aluminum rings. They're easier for me to juggle around and move to new bale drops, etc. THE PROBLEM, is that I have horses (and bigger critters) that are SMART enough to nudge the light aluminum ring around the bale as needed to get to the sweet spot in the center...I guess the best hay is in the center of the bale, and they gotta get to it! Problem is, this creates wasted hay on the ground, strewn all around the ring as the ring gets moved off center. It's not that hay laying on the ground is no longer edible, it's what happens ON IT after it get strewn on the ground...then it's no longer wanted by any critter!!!
Wasted hay means WASTED $$$!!!
So here's a quick, easy solution I found.
Anchor 3 or 4 T-posts around the bale, snug to the sides, and deep enough to bury the T-post spade at the bottom...I had these laying around, so it didn't cost a penny. After all, how many of you have extra T-post laying around!!!
Cinch the T-post up to the side of the ring and secure with a few wire wraps...bailin' wire works, but I prefer some leftover electrical wire so I can re-use it...
Finally, top it off with a protective T-post cap, sold at most farm & ranch stores, or you may already have these too, once again, not costing a cent!
Once the bale is depleted and eaten, simply undo the wire and lift the ring up and over the T-post. Helps to have some assistance at this point. You then have access to the backs of the T-posts to use a T-post jack (also sold at ALL farm & ranch stores). Remove the T-posts and your area is ready to set a new bale!
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