A bale handling apparatus is disclosed, comprising a plurality of jaws configured to receive a bale, one or more tines configured to pierce the bale upon reception within the jaws, and one or more blades configured to cut binding material of the bale when received. A distinctive feature of the apparatus is its configuration to clamp the bale at a position rearward of the location where the one or more blades are configured to cut the binding material. Additionally, a method of operating a bale handling apparatus is disclosed, comprising holding a square bale within the apparatus, cutting its binding strings, and subsequently dropping a first portion of the bale while retaining a second portion of the bale and the cut strings on said second portion. This invention provides improved control over bale processing and binding material management.