Grab & Go® and Compressed Bale Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions

We receive many inquiries about our popular Grab & Go® and Compressed Bales. As a result, we decided to feature these products by answering your most common questions or FAQs.

1.) What are Grab & Go and Compressed Bales?

Grab & Go and Compressed Bales are created by slicing a 4’x’4’x8’ large bale into 36 smaller bales and then compressed and banded. Grab & Go Compressed Bales are simply wrapped Compressed Bales with handles to eliminate color bleaching and to promote clean and easy transport and storage. Standlee presses both Grab & Go and Compressed Bales to deliver approximately 50 lbs. of premium western forage.

 

 

 


2.) Why do animal owners use Grab & Go and Compressed Bales?

There are several benefits consumers quote when asked this question. Convenience and cleanliness in handling and transport and the reduction of storage space at home and on the road are typical mentions.


3.) What are the benefits of Standlee Grab & Go and Compressed Bales versus other baled hay sources?

Standlee carefully manages our farms, production facility and distribution centers to deliver the most consistent, high-quality forages to your beloved animals from coast to coast, 365 days a year. Since 1991, Standlee’s main focus is to reliably deliver the best forages in the United States, bar none!

To learn more about the impact of feeding high-quality forage, read our nutritional paper – HAY, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR HORSE’S FORAGE!.


4.) What varieties of forages are available in Grab & Go and Compressed Bales?

Standlee Premium Western Forage Grab & Go and Compressed Bales are available in the following forage varieties: Alfalfa, Timothy Grass, Orchard Grass, and an Alfalfa and Orchard Mix. We also offer a Straw Grab & Go and Compressed Bales for bedding and Lawn & Garden uses. Lastly, we have Organic Alfalfa and Certified Noxious Weed Free options across several of our Grab & Go and Compressed Bale varieties.

5.) How do you feed Grab & Go and Compressed Bales?

Standlee recommends slicing open the wrap covering from end to end and cutting the bands to allow the bale to expand for at least 12 hours before feeding. We strongly encourage feeding by weight and not by volume or flake. The average 1,000 lb. horse needs about 15 to 25 lbs. (1.5% to 2.5% of body weight) of forage throughout the day from dry hay and/or pasture.

If you have any feeding questions specific to your animal, please contact the nutritionists at Standlee, or consult with your veterinarian.

To learn more about feeding Grab & Go and Compressed Bales, read our nutritional paper – TIPS FOR FEEDING COMPRESSED BALES.


6.) Can I leave the wrap on the Grab & Go Compressed Bale? Can I feed the bale out of the wrap material?

You can leave the wrap on only when storing our Grab & Go Compresses Bales. However, if you live in a hot and humid area, we recommend removing the wrap to allow the bale to breathe to avoid moisture accumulation which could promote mold spore growth.

Do not feed the bale in the wrap material. If an animal ingests the wrap or band material, it can cause significant digestive upset.


7.) Why are some Grab & Go or Compressed Bales ‘dusty?’

Grab & Go and Compressed Bales are made by cutting larger 4’ x 4’ x 8’ compressed bales from our fields into their final size. The cutting process can shatter leaves and stems creating forage fines. Some consumers refer to these forage fines as the ‘candy’ for their animals. So, don’t throw out these tasty morsels as your animals will thank you!


8.) How long can I store Grab & Go and Compressed Bales?

If stored properly, Grab & Go and Compressed Bales can last a year, or longer, without any significant nutrient degradation. We recommend storing our products off the ground (on a pallet) in a covered, well-ventilated and pest-free environment free from the effects of weather or moisture.


9.) What are the brown blades of grass in Timothy Grass Grab & Go or Compressed Bales?

Timothy Grass is a difficult forage variety to coordinate harvesting and baling. Standlee always attempts to grow, cut, sun-cure and bale at the most ideal time. However, Idaho summer thunderstorms can throw-off harvest timing which can result in brownish-colored grass called ‘brown blade.’ Brown blade is a shorter, off-colored grass which gets less sunlight than the taller blades. Brown blade is not a weed, nor unhealthy, for animals. However, some animals find brown blade less palatable than their green-bladed cousins.


10.) Can I feed this product to my rabbits, guinea pig, hamster, mouse, rat or chinchilla?

You absolutely can but we recommend our Standlee Hand-Selected Forage products for your small companion animal family. These products leverage our super premium forages which are typically softer and have better leaf retention than the Grab & Go and Compressed Bales. Furthermore, the packaging provides hassle-free and cleaner storage in home.

If you have any feeding questions specific to your animal, please contact the nutritionists at Standlee, or consult with your veterinarian.

Learn more about our small companion animal products.

Please visit standleeforage.com for additional information or feel free to reach out to our friendly and helpful customer service team at customerservice@standleeforage.com or (800) 398-0819 with any additional questions or comments.

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