Stacking Hay bales

[Lone Wolf]

I heard you are suppose to stack the bottom layer of hay bales on it's side. I have never done it that way, anybody else stack it that way verse just stacking it the regular way. Also I stack my hay on pallets and the bottom roll of hay seems to get that dusty dirt on them along with that dusty smell. I thought about stacking the pallets 2 high (have enough pallets to do it) to see if that would cut down the dustyness on the hay? Or would it be better to lay down some 4x8 plywood? Hope to get some feed back as I hope to cut some hay soon, IF this darn rain will stop for a week. Thanks Bill

 

[foreman Etexas]

I heard you are suppose to stack the bottom layer of hay bales on it's side. I have never done it that way, anybody else stack it that way verse just stacking it the regular way. Also I stack my hay on pallets and the bottom roll of hay seems to get that dusty dirt on them along with that dusty smell. I thought about stacking the pallets 2 high (have enough pallets to do it) to see if that would cut down the dustyness on the hay? Or would it be better to lay down some 4x8 plywood? Hope to get some feed back as I hope to cut some hay soon, IF this darn rain will stop for a week. Thanks Bill

Wish we had that probem here with the rain:thumbsup:The only reason we stack the bottum row on its side is its less surface area to get weathered and makes the bottum stack alittle tougher. Bottum bales always get alittle messed up.Just my 2cents!!

 

[farmeratheart]

The floor in the bottom of the haymow in Dad's barn was poles (read that as small tree trunks!) of various diameters lain across the bottom timbers. (Yes it was hard to walk on that "floor".) When stacking hay, if we put the bottom layers flat, the bale strings would break from the nature of the floor. By putting the 2 bottom layers on edge we eliminated that problem. We sometimes ended up with some deformed bales, but the strings were intact and the cows thought it tasted just fine!

Frank

 

[CTPhil]

I've always stacked the first row on edge. My reasoning is that when you first start the season hay that seems dry may still have a little moisture, and stacking on edge prevents the strings from rotting. One you've started that way you just keep going even though later hay might not need to be stacked edge up.

 

[Lone Wolf]

So basically stacking the first row of hay on it's edge was is for the string not for some hay purpose unless you think there may be some moisture. Want about pallets vs soild wood flood? Thanks.

 

[hosspuller]

If the shed floor is dirt, I would lay a sheet of plastic down as a vapor barrior. Then pallets, then 1st layer of hay bales with the cut edges down. The idea is to allow the most air movement between the hay and the ground,but keeping the ground moisture from the hay.

 

[DanD78]

It sounds like you are stacking on a dirt floor. If so I would put down plastic sheets or poly tarps, pallets then stack on edge all the way up. If you have a wood floor like in a real barn I stack on the wood floor with bales on edge all the way up.

I have heard two reasons for stacking on edge. If the bales were baled damp it will let the moisture wick up and out. By putting the cut ends of the hay facing up and down the moisture will work it's way to the top and away. The moisture will travel easier through the stem. Any way that's what a old cattle farmer told me any way and I have stored hay on edge for a lot of years with good success.

Dan

 

[Lone Wolf]

Thanks for the info, yes I have an enclose hay area that has dirt. Never thought of putting plastic or tarps under the pallets. Good suggestion, wise man always say 2 brains better than 1. I even have a large roll of black pastic. I will try the edge up approach and see how it goes. Thanks guys for the feedback.

 

[RickB]

Stacking on pallets is best for storing small squares on any ground floor, be it dirt, concrete, or asphalt. One layer of pallets is sufficient.
I always stacked ALL layers on edge. Stacking strings up and walking on them (and the weight of layers stacked above) makes the bales looser. Stacking on edge and walking on them (and the layers stacked above) makes them tighter; and there are no strings to trip on.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Rick is right, stacking on edge is how I do it and how some of my customers choose to do it. Every layer all the way to the top.

Also, a pallet is fine but if you don't have a moisture barrier below it the bottom bales still seem to go bad near the edge of the building where the moisture can wick in from the outside easier.

 

[slowzuki]

We tried one year on edge out of the last 20. What a pain, never again. Flat stacked all the way from ground to 50 ft here. I shudder thinking of that year of walking on edge stacked and trying to pull them out to sell.

 

[farmeratheart]

We tried one year on edge out of the last 20. What a pain, never again. Flat stacked all the way from ground to 50 ft here. I shudder thinking of that year of walking on edge stacked and trying to pull them out to sell.

I'm with you Slowzuki ... We always started the mowin' away with a layer or two stacked on edge for the reason mentioned in my earlier post, but I hated walking across those layers to make the 'flat' layer that started the next 40 or 50 feet of hay!

Frank

 

[rtimgray]

We always start with a layer stacked on edge, mostly just to keep strings from rotting. After that, we go flat.

 

[atgreene]

We always stack flat even when stacked on pallets. Stacked flat they lock together better when stacking in a pattern and allows you to stack higher.

Same way in the field on the trailer. The only place we edge stack is in the back of the pick-up to fill up the bed then start flat above the rail.

Hauled this load last week, no rope. Approx 170? on the trailer.

 

[Duffster]

We always start with a layer stacked on edge, mostly just to keep strings from rotting. After that, we go flat.

Same here.

What about using plastic for a vapor barrier then pallets?

When we had to stack fancy hay on ground we just used straw or junk hay on the first layer and used it for bedding later.

 

[Barry Bowen]

On a dirt floor, plastic and two layers pallets. Stack on edge the whole thing so moisture will have the possibility to travel up and out.

After stacking both way, strings on top and strings on the side. I will only stack on edge. It has always given me the best results.

 

[Lone Wolf]

okay guys, got the plastic down under the pallets but next question would be: grass is tall enough to cut due to all this rain weather in NW florida the past 2-3 months. I am getting nervous now, when do you take a chance and cut. I saw someone else yesterday cut but they can rake and bale during the day as to me I work. The forecast is 20 today 30 Thur and 40 Fri-Mon. I am thinking I need 3-4 days to hay 7 acres (just the wife and I) b/c I can only tedder after work hours 6 pm for the thick stuff. But should I take the chance on 40% or just wait down the road for absolute good weather? Some areas of the grass is just below knee deep while other areas is less than that. Kind of new at this so I may be jumping the gun as I learn. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[5030]

Nice to have an old barn with a mow. I rent that.

 

[foreman Etexas]

okay guys, got the plastic down under the pallets but next question would be: grass is tall enough to cut due to all this rain weather in NW florida the past 2-3 months. I am getting nervous now, when do you take a chance and cut. I saw someone else yesterday cut but they can rake and bale during the day as to me I work. The forecast is 20 today 30 Thur and 40 Fri-Mon. I am thinking I need 3-4 days to hay 7 acres (just the wife and I) b/c I can only tedder after work hours 6 pm for the thick stuff. But should I take the chance on 40% or just wait down the road for absolute good weather? Some areas of the grass is just below knee deep while other areas is less than that. Kind of new at this so I may be jumping the gun as I learn. Thanks for any feedback.

Leave it!! Rain = more growth........If you dont have to cut ,im just saying let it sit alittle longer and get more yield out of it!!!

 

[Lone Wolf]

Foreman,

Thanks, just didn't know when is the lastest time to leave it alone. Not sure if you leave it, is there a point the grass startes to get too thick or useless. I wish I could explain what I am trying to say on paper here. or can it grow until I get to it no matter how tall it gets? Make sense?