HAY STORAGE – by Ben Beckman, Beef Systems Extension Educator
A number of factors go into ensuring a quality hay crop is harvested each year. Proper storage of hay may be just as important for a quality forage as efforts in the field. Don’t let your work to put up quality hay be wasted by poor storage.
Moisture is the enemy of quality hay. Keeping moisture levels below 20% prevents mold growth and dry matter loss as well as protects against possible overheating and combustion issues. To maintain this, controlling moisture entering the bale from both the top and bottom is critical.
Ideally, putting bales under a roof with adequate circulation or tarping is the best way to prevent excess moisture entering the top of the bale. Stacking bales when covering with a tarp can help reduce cost per bale and make it more economical.
Alternatively, when uncovered, stacking bales creates areas where moisture may accumulate and reduces air circulation. In these outdoor conditions, densely packed round bales are the best option. Wrapping material may also influence water shedding ability. Bale sleeves and net wrap provide physical barriers to precipitation and typically shed water better than twine wrapped bales.
To keep moisture from the bottom of the bale, site selection and bale placement are important. Ideally, select a well-drained site with a slope. Orient rows with the slope to prevent moisture from pooling around the base. Butt flat ends of round bales together in rows with about 3 feet space left between rows to allow good air circulation. If the bale yard has little or no slope, consider aligning the bales in a north/sound orientation. This allows most of the bale exposure to the sun for better drying potential.
In heavy soils, it may be beneficial place a layer of crushed rock or gravel down to minimize bale/soil contact and increase drainage. Wood pallets may also be utilized to similar effect, raising bales off the ground and allowing air to circulate below the bale.
