How long is the average straw in a bale of straw?

Question

I've never actually used straw or even handled it, as far as I can remember. But I'm going to be using some soon, so I want some idea of what it's like. If you leave a small pile of it on the ground, will the wind blow it away? Does it have a lot of small particles in it, such that if you put it somewhere then move it, there will be a lot of dust and debris left behind, consisting of those small particles? Or is it all just clean neat dried stalks? If you want 20 or 50 or 100 cubic feet of straw, where would you buy it? Would you buy it from a farmer who grew it, or from a farm supply store, or where? And how much would you be likely to pay for it? Do farmers buy lots of straw, or do they mostly sell it?

Answer 1

Good clean baled straw would be 16" to 18" I'd guess.
It should not have particles or dust & debris.
But if you are using it for mulch, you want chopped straw.

Farmers use straw for bedding for horses or other animals.
Some farmers will sell a few bales, I haven't bought in years.
A landscaping place might be able to get you some.