Covering hay

[tcreeley]

I am not sure that hay baled in Texas is the same hay as that baled in New England- different humidity, conditions. I'm speaking of square bales. Never worked with round bales. I've read that some folks use driers when they make hay down south. Hay when it is square baled always has a sweet fresh smell off the field. Over time it loses that in the barn. Animal here will always go for the fresh hay. When a month later or in the middle of the winter you open a bale and find leaves sticking- baled too wet - and that turns dusty.

 

[Tx Jim]

Baling hay at too high moisture content gets one the same results no matter if it's in Texas or Maine. Hay at above acceptable moisture content ends up being moldy/mildewy/rotten.

 

[Apollo1]

I thought cutting some hay and just stacking it loose in barn how would that work ?

 

[Tx Jim]

I thought cutting some hay and just stacking it loose in barn how would that work ?

That's fine if moisture content is correct. Farmers stacked loose hay in barns before balers were invented.

 

[Apollo1]

How do I check for moisture content gauge by atmosphere or what ?

 

[Tx Jim]

I've owned one of these digital hay moisture testers for over 20 yrs. Moisture Meters | Moisture Testers | Delmhorst Instrument Co.

 

[Xfaxman]

If hay was baled at correct moisture content(IMHO 15%<) then butting bales end to end tightly with rows spaced 1+ ft apart slows spoilage. Another rd bale storage MISTAKE I've seen my neighbors commit is storing rd bales under trees.

What is wrong with storing round bales under trees?

 

[whistlepig]

I thought cutting some hay and just stacking it loose in barn how would that work ?

In a loft or on the ground? Stacking it loose is a good idea. Gives room for the the hay to breath and cure. You can salt the hay if questionable on curing if in a loft. Covering hay that is curing? My goodness who came up with that idea?

 

[Tx Jim]

What is wrong with storing round bales under trees?

Tree leaves concentrate the rain drops on the bale and after bales are wet the shade from the leaves causes the bales to dry slower or not at all.

 

[Tx Jim]

In a loft or on the ground? Stacking it loose is a good idea. Gives room for the the hay to breath and cure. You can salt the hay if questionable on curing if in a loft. Covering hay that is curing? My goodness who came up with that idea?

I agree. If I happen to bale rd bales at a little above 15% trying to beat a shower I will not butt the bales together but leave a space between all the bales