We didn’t start with rounds and build up, dad built a small bank barn in 53 after purchasing the farm in 52, it would hold about 1500-2000 squares, as more land was cleared and another farm was purchased more cows were added until the little barn wouldn’t hold enough hay, a Allis Chambers Roto-Baler was purchased to make small 15” diameter 100 lb rounds that could be left outside to feed later. We transitioned to rounds as family members grew up and moved away, readjusting storage capabilities and more efficient ways to feed as funds allowed, even with 175 rolls in my open shed we still tarp 200 rolls on a 20x140’ gravel pad outside
Squares are a more efficient way to feed with less waste but also the most labor intensive
Rounds at the most basic level can be stored and feed from a tractor seat with just a 3 point bale spear but is also when there is the most waste
At my FIL’s farm we lined up 400 4x5 rounds on a 125x100’ pad while his beautiful 42x80 hip roof barn with a loft that would hold 7000+ squares set nearly empty with less than 200 squares in it
Heart issues in his early 50’s and a back injury prevented both of us from putting in a full day handling small squares, as young boys willing to work in hay became fewer and fewer as decades passed, rounds became a necessity option for continued operations
We don’t have lake effect snow but mud can be a major issue nearly all winter at times
Covered fence line hay feeders help reduce waste better than hay rings plus they don’t require a loader tractor and with a good rocked driveway they keep us out of the mud
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Something like this can also be incorporated into a barn
For your present operation and barn a NH 1010 bale wagon that will off load single bales at a time onto a elevator or cross conveyor would work well
