Horses and livestock animals depend on having an available source of quality hay. The quality, size and cost of hay bales or rolls can vary tremendously, Once you purchase or harvest your hay, it is important to prevent your hay from getting moldy. It is also crtical to keep your hay from getting too hot, as that can cause a fire hazard. Proper drying of hay is also key to keeping internal temperatures down during storage periods. It becomes critical to know how to buy and store your hay.
The Horse provides an in depth look at Hay Storage:
"In much of the United States hay only grows during temperate months. The best quality is obtained and the best prices achieved by putting up a supply that will last until the next harvest. To keep stored hay as fresh and palatable as possible, focus on preventing mold development, heat buildup and combustion, and nutrient deterioration.
The Horse provides an in depth look at Hay Storage:
"In much of the United States hay only grows during temperate months. The best quality is obtained and the best prices achieved by putting up a supply that will last until the next harvest. To keep stored hay as fresh and palatable as possible, focus on preventing mold development, heat buildup and combustion, and nutrient deterioration.
Proper
hay harvesting and drying is important to control "respiration," a
naturally occurring process that produces heat and bacterial growth. Michael
Collins, PhD, former professor of agronomy at the University of Kentucky,
describes some of the science behind hay production: "Hay crops generally
contain around 80% moisture at the time of cutting; field curing reduces
moisture to levels (at which hay) can be safely stored. Hay cured to less than
16-20% moisture stores well with minimal problems of heating or mold growth.
However, if baled with too much moisture (25-35%), microbial activity generates
significant amounts of heat. In extreme cases, hay can reach spontaneous
combustion temperatures." Hay heated to 150-175°F has the potential to
burst into flames, posing great danger to a horse facility.
In
the initial weeks following baling, moisture and heat combine to maximize
combustion risk. Thus, Kathleen Crandell, PhD, of Kentucky Equine Research,
advises horse owners to monitor moisture levels (keeping them below 14%) and
heat for two weeks after stacking new hay. They can achieve this by inserting
an electronic probe (Delmhorst, for example, to measure moisture) and a
temperature probe into bales to ensure temperatures remain below 120°F. If you
come across hotter bales, remove them from the stack and spread them out in an
area protected from rain to allow drying."
Read the entire article: Horse Feed Storage and Preservation
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