Dry matter and as-fed hay are different
Livestock demand is calculated on a dry-matter basis, while bales are weighed as-fed. The entered hay dry-matter percentage connects those two quantities.
Loss assumptions
Storage loss and feeding/refusal waste increase the quantity that must be available to deliver the planned dry matter to the herd. Review both rather than treating them as the same loss.
Bale weight
Average bale weight strongly affects whole-bale count. Use a representative actual weight when possible rather than assuming all round or square bales weigh the same.
Reserve days and severe-weather buffer
Extra days increase total hay requirement. Keep them explicit so the reserve is not confused with ordinary feeding-period demand.
Inventory gap
The tool compares calculated bale requirement with current bales on hand to estimate shortage or surplus and an inventory depletion date.
