Even the most experienced hay producers know that storing hay involves its share of challenges. Condensation, mold growth, animal damage, and cover tears—are just a few of the issues that can put your stored hay at risk. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Let’s start by exploring some of the most common hay-covering problems and present practical solutions. We’ll review how to identify signs of trouble, implement preventive measures, and take prompt action to minimize losses.
Condensation
Condensation can be a sneaky problem in hay storage. It often happens when warm, moist air meets a cool surface, like the underside of your hay cover, creating water droplets that dampen your hay and encourage mold growth. Since problems with condensation are closely tied to the use of covers, let’s look at the facts on condensation and how to tackle it:
Causes of Condensation
Condensation is a team effort between excess moisture and temperature changes, where excess moisture in warm air is waiting for cooler conditions to become water droplets that soak into your hay. Here’s how it usually plays out:
Moisture from Baling: Since hay comes out of the baler with some residual moisture, if you cover it too quickly, the moisture gets trapped as high humidity.
Temperature Swings: Big temperature differences between day and night really encourage condensation. As temperatures drop with the sun, the moisture in the air has nowhere to go but onto your hay.
Poor Ventilation: If air can’t circulate properly around your haystack, humidity builds up and generates more condensation.
Ground Moisture: Storing hay directly on the ground or a poorly drained surface allows moisture to wick up into the bales, which only adds to the problem.
Preventing Condensation
The good news is that there are several ways to prevent condensation in your stored hay. Opt for breathable covers, such as net wraps or woven fabrics, so air can circulate freely and moist air can escape.
Before covering, allow the hay to cool completely and minimize temperature differences to reduce the risk of condensation. Make a practice of storing your hay on pallets, tires, or a bed of gravel to keep it from soaking up moisture from the ground.
Addressing Condensation
After all these efforts, if condensation is still forming on your hay, it’s time to take direct action. Indoors, increase ventilation by opening vents, doors, or windows, or use fans to get the air moving. If your current cover isn’t breathable, consider swapping it out with one that permits more airflow. Outdoors, you may need to re-stack your bales for better air movement or install a more water-resistant cover. In any case, take wet bales out of the stack to prevent mold from spreading.
Mold Growth
Mold is a serious problem in stored hay, as it can significantly reduce the quality and safety of your feed. Mold consumes valuable nutrients, making the hay less nutritious, less palatable, and potentially harmful to your livestock. Moldy hay is known to cause respiratory problems and even serious health issues if it’s consumed in large quantities.
Mold thrives in warm, damp environments, so when hay is baled with too much moisture or stored in conditions that encourage moisture buildup, mold spores can take hold and spread like wildfire. This can result in significant losses in your feed reserves and bottom line.
Preventing Mold Growth
High-quality, mold-free hay starts with good haymaking practices. Ensure the hay is adequately dried before baling, aiming for the ideal moisture content for your hay, bale type, and storage conditions.
Proper stacking and covering techniques are key to preventing moisture accumulation and promoting airflow. Store the hay in a well-ventilated area, whether indoors or outdoors, and avoid stacking bales directly on the ground.
For outdoor storage, choose a well-drained site and elevate the hay on pallets or tires to keep moisture on the ground from wicking into the hay.
Identifying Mold Growth
Keep a close eye on bales for signs of mold, such as discoloration, musty odors, or visible mold spores. Mold can appear as white, gray, black, or green patches.
Addressing Mold
If you find moldy hay, time is of the essence. Remove moldy bales from the stack to prevent them from contaminating the remaining hay. If the mold is limited to a small area, you may be able to salvage the rest of the bale by removing the affected portion. However, if the mold is widespread or has penetrated deep into the bale, it’s best to discard the entire bale.
No matter the extent of the damage, never feed damaged hay to your livestock.
Animal Damage
Animals can be a real nuisance when it comes to stored hay. From birds pecking holes in covers to rodents gnawing through bales and making themselves at home, animal damage can lead to moisture penetration, spoilage, and even the spread of disease.
Types of Animal Damage
You’ve got a whole range of critters that might try to get into your hay. Birds like crows, ravens, and starlings love to peck holes in covers, especially tarps and plastic films. These holes let in water, which damages the hay and leads to mold. Rodents like mice, rats, and other small mammals can also be a problem. They gnaw through bales and covers, creating entry points for moisture and more pests. Plus, they can contaminate the hay with their droppings, which is a health risk for your livestock. Depending on where you live, larger animals like raccoons, opossums, or deer may be trying to get to your hay and damaging covers or bales in the process.
Preventing Animal Damage
Taking preventive measures can really cut down on the risk of animal damage. To prevent animals from getting in, hay covers should be well-secured and taut, with weights, ropes, or straps to hold the covers firmly in place. Bird netting can be spread over the hay to deter birds from pecking at the covers. Choose a high-quality netting that is resistant to tearing and UV degradation.
The choice of cover material can also play a role in deterring animals. Woven fabrics, especially those with a tight weave and reinforced edges, tend to be more resistant to damage from birds and rodents. For larger animals, consider using heavier, more durable woven fabrics, like reinforced polyethylene or coated woven fabrics.
Set up rodent control measures around your storage area, like traps, bait stations, or exclusion devices, to keep rodents from entering the barn or reaching the haystacks. Consider installing fencing around the storage area for larger animals to keep them out.
Addressing Animal Damage
If animals get to your hay despite your best efforts, it should be addressed quickly. If you find any holes or tears in your hay covers, patch them immediately. If any bales are significantly damaged or contaminated by animals, remove them from the stack to prevent the spread of spoilage and disease. Continue to monitor your storage area for signs of animal activity to prevent reinfestations.
Wrapping It Up
Hay storage problems can be frustrating and costly, but they’re usually preventable. Vigilance is key—keep ahead of the problem by regularly inspecting your hay and hay covers for signs of trouble and addressing issues promptly.
This chapter has covered some typical challenges to maintaining hay quality, but there’s still more to the story. Check out Chapter 10, which covers essential hay cover care and maintenance techniques.
