Compare Cost per Tonne of Dry Matter
Comparing silage by the price of one bale against a pit contractor’s quote can be misleading: the systems differ in dry matter, storage losses, plastic, handling and labour. Teagasc’s 2026 example gives a useful like-for-like starting point by expressing cost per tonne of dry matter (t DM). In its two-cut model, pit silage is estimated at €300/t DM including land and €240/t DM excluding land; baled silage is €341/t DM including land and €286/t DM excluding land. The comparison is based on specified assumptions and February 2026 input rates, not a guaranteed quote for an individual farm.
Include Wrapping, Haulage and Storage
Teagasc separately estimates a bale-making cost of €54 per bale including land and €44 excluding land in its model. That figure should not be multiplied or compared with another farm’s bale price without checking bale weight, dry matter, contractor scope, haulage, wrapping and storage. The same analysis lists wrap at €20 per bale under its assumptions, making plastic and disposal a material line item rather than a minor extra. See Teagasc’s 2026 forage-cost comparison and its bale-cost breakdown.
Apply the Model to Your Own Farm
To compare offers, request the expected tonnes of dry matter, harvesting and transport included, wrapping or pit-cover materials, and how losses are treated. Add the farm’s own handling, storage and labour costs. A pit may suit a larger volume and efficient clamp setup; bales may help with smaller lots or flexible feeding, but need suitable handling and storage. Neither format is automatically cheapest: get current local contractor quotes and apply them to your own yield and logistics.
