On Wednesday, December 5, 2012 2:09:38 AM UTC-5, harry wrote:
Interesting story.

How do they load a big bale of hay weighing half a ton or more?

They're round. A couple of healthy men could easily roll them up a ramp into a pickup truck.

Most bales don't weigh anywhere near 1/2 ton anyway. 500lb bales can be lifted by 3-4 average men.

Why would hay be left outdoors anyway?

Buildings are expensive and harvest time is short. It is quite common to leave the bales lined up along the edge of the field they were made in, until they're needed at the farm. This saves on building costs and defers the hauling duties until the off-season.