Can you leave hay bales in the rain?

“A light rain, like less than half-an-inch, will probably largely shed off the windrow. There will be some moisture uptake, but not so much. If you hay gets rained on near to when it’s cut, it’ll have less impact. … However, if hay bales are too wet, mold can grow and give off heat, creating a fire hazard.

Does it matter if hay gets wet?

The first thing to keep in mind when dealing with wet hay is that moisture can easily lead to combustion. Twenty percent moisture is about the highest level that bales should reach. … Even in bales that are not at risk for fire, wet bales will continue to decrease in quality.

What to do with hay that has been rained on?

With severely rain damaged hay, it may better to leave it on the field, chop it up with a rotary mower to speed decomposition and minimize shading of the next crop.

Does rain hurt cut hay?

Research at Iowa State University found that fresh-cut hay with less than 1 inch of rain took a few more hours to dry, but didn’t suffer much, if any, quality or quantity loss. A light rain on nearly dry hay, though, caused significant losses.

Can horses eat hay that has been rained on?

Hay that has gotten wet and is fed immediately is perfectly fine to feed to horses, and a bale of hay that has been rained on and then dried thoroughly, and fed within a week or so is also not going to cause any problem whatsoever.

How do you protect hay from rain?

When stacking and storing rain damaged hay make sure that it is on a well-drained spot that prevents the bales from soaking up additional moisture from wet soil or standing water. Using pallets, old railway ties, or anything that keeps the bales up off the ground will reduce the amount of the moisture they absorb.

Will cows eat wet hay?

Cows can eat some wet hay or they just tear it off the outside and get to the dry hay inside. This is not, however, a good plan for feeding horses, who can be sickened by eating wet, deteriorating hay.

How many days does hay need to dry?

It basically takes about three days of good weather to cure hay. This can be a challenge in late May or early June. A good strategy is to mow just before or right after a rain, because of the likelihood of good weather for the next few days.

Can you leave hay outside?

If hay is to be stored outside, it is desirable to locate the storage site close to the feeding area because bales become more difficult to handle as they weather. It is easier to move them a greater distance when they are new and tightly wrapped. Well-drained upland storage sites are best.

Can you cover wet hay?

Anderson recommends storing hay on elevated, well-drained spots that will prevent the bales from soaking up moisture from wet soil or standing water. … Never stack round bales during the rainy season unless they are covered or unless they will be fed very soon.

Should hay be stored on pallets?

Store hay on pallets.

Hay bales stored on wet ground can take on moisture, leading to early deterioration and as much as 50% spoilage. Pallets can help prevent the bales from “wicking-up” moisture and encourage air circulation beneath the bales.

Is it bad to store hay outside?

Store hay inside

While this isn’t always possible, it is the best way to keep your hay intact. “Uncovered hay bales stored outside on the ground can result in high hay dry matter (DM) losses that could range from 5-20%,” Hernandez says.

Is it OK to cover hay with a tarp?

Cover Hay for More Control

Because of the risk of wet hay spontaneously combusting, however, many farmers choose not to risk storing hay in their barns. Tarps are the second-best solution, and there are several ways to make the hay more secure under tarps. Expect losses up 10 ten percent when hay is stored under tarps.

Should I cover my hay?

Cover it up.

Allowing round bales to weather can reduce digestibility of the hay. Plastic wrap, tarps, or canvases can all be used to prevent extreme weathering.

How long is hay good for outside?

Bales Stored Outside and Unprotected
Period
Storage Method Storage Period Up to 9 months* 12-18 months
Exposed Storage Period
Ground Storage Period 5-20 15-50
Elevated Storage Period 3-15 12-35

Should hay be kept dry?

ALL hay should be kept dry and checked frequently for excess heat. Some heating (or “sweating”) will inevitably occur during the first few weeks as bales experience the natural heat cycle associated with microorganisms and fermentation.

Can I store hay in a shed?

If the hay storage area is open on one or more sides, or if it’s a shed with only a roof, cover the fully-cured hay with a tarp to keep out weather and light. … Check tarps on a regular basis to make sure they’re securely tied down. Round bales should also be stored on the twine or wrap side.

Does hay need to breathe?

3) Leave space for bales to breathe.

That allows the air to move around the bales so they maintain their green color. Obviously, if we used preservative, they were baled a little damp, so they need space to breathe.”

How do you store hay without a barn?

Without a barn, you can adapt a large storage shed or cargo container. If you have to store hay outdoors, protect stacked hay with secured tarps or a plastic covering. Raise hay off bare ground using wood pallets or tires, or by building a pad of rocks or gravel.

Does hay lose nutritional value over time?

A: Hay begins to lose its nutritional value at the time of cutting and continues to lose nutrients both while drying in the field and while in storage. The nutrients most affected by harvesting and storing are vitamins. Conversely, the protein and mineral content of hay is quite stable.

Is year old hay still good?

Generally, hay that is two to three years old is still acceptable given the right storage conditions. So before you go tossing last year’s hay, give it a check over and feel confident feeding it if everything looks good.

At what temperature does hay spontaneously combust?

When hay’s internal temperature rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), a chemical reaction begins to produce flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature goes high enough. Fire is possible in hay that’s loose, in small or large bales or stacks, and stored inside or outside.