Our El Centro facility in California specializes in Arizona and Mexican Sudan, as well as
Imperial Valley Sudan. Sudan grass hay is available in compressed and uncompressed bales, as well
as cubes and pellets.
Sudan Grass Facts
Planting starts in late February and continues through July 1. The amount of early planting
depends on weather conditions, other crops being grown and market conditions.
The crop is irrigated three to four times before the first cutting. The crop is then irrigated
twice between other cuttings.
Early Sudan is harvest 70 to 90 days after planting. Late planting Sudan is harvested
fifty-five days after planting due to increased soil temperatures. Sudan is normally harvested
three times between May and October. The majority is harvested in May, June and July.
Once the Sudan is cut, it takes seven days to cure.
Sudan Grass is available in 17 different grades.
Sudan Hay Bale size
Standard Bales
Available in 2-Tie (16 x 18 x 48 inches) and 3-Tie (16 x 22 x 48 inches)
Double Compressed "Mini" Bales
Produced from original 2-Tie Bales (16 x 18 x 19 inches)
Standard Double Compressed Bales
Produced from original 3-Tie Bales (16 x 22 x 22 inches)
Half-Cut Bales
Produced by slicing the Standard Double Compressed Bale in half.
Sudan Hay is also available in pelletized and cubed forms. See the Forage Product Search for
the various packaging options.
Packaging and Container Types
Wilbur-Ellis strives to be a perfect fit for the way the end-user wants to handle forage.
The customer can choose from bulk or stretch-wrapped bales, and full size or 1/2 size bales.
The smaller bales are more convenient for lifting by hand.
El Centro offers the following basic types of packaging:
Standard (FULL)
Palletized package
Stretch-wrap package
1/2 cut bale
4' x 4' rolled bales (BULK)
Bale Size and Weight
The average bale size before double compressing is 48" long, 23" wide and 17" in height.
The weight of the un-pressed bale ranges from 95 pounds to 108 pounds.
The average size of a bale after being pressed is 22" long, 23" wide and 17" in height. The w
eight of the double compressed bale ranges from 100 pounds to 120 pounds with the average at
110 pounds per bale.
Container Loading Details
Shipping Info For El Centro
Covering Sudan Hay, Oat Hay, Bermuda Grass Hay
Shipping containers used are standard and Hi Cube in steel and aluminum. Containers are loaded
to the total weight allowed by regulations in the customers region.
The number of bales per container ranges from 390 to 450 with the average at 425 bales.
The difference in the un-pressed bale and a pressed bale is due to the flaking process. The
flaker combines part of one bale with another to increase the bale weight.
Polypropylene strappings or ties then wrap the compressed bale securely. At this point the
bale can also be cut into the easier to handle 1/2 cut bale size, ideal for human handling
at about 55 lbs.
1/2 cut bales are further inspected for foreign objects and blown to remove chaff and debris
before wrapping or bulk loading.
