A bale processing apparatus and method is provided to lift, hold, transport, and spread one or more round bales of hay or other material. The apparatus includes a belt, rollers, and a means for controlling tension on the belt to position the belt in first and second positions. In the first position the belt forms a cradle between the first and second rollers capable to hold a bale. In the second position the belt may eject the bale. The bale is lifted onto the belt, with the belt in the cradle position, is untied, and the belt is turned to unroll the bale. The apparatus may be connected to a vehicle that moves while the belt turns to feed the bale over an area. The bale is ejected from the belt by adjusting the tension on the belt to the eject position and moving the belt.