What do you do with hay that got rained on?

The trick is to get it dry again as quickly as possible in order to reduce the amount of time for leaching of nutrients. Just remember that excessive tedding or raking of hay will result in material loss so be as efficient as possible. Unfortunately, in some cases the hay will not be salvageable.

Is hay ruined if it gets rained on?

Rained-on hay often has relatively high protein values compared to fiber content unless there's great leaf loss. Leaves contain a lot of the plant's protein. As soluble carbohydrates leach, structural fibers make up a greater percent of forage dry matter. The digestibility of rained-on hay can decline 6 to 40 percent.

How do you save hay bales that has been rained on?

Use net wrap or plastic twine spaced no more than 4 in. apart on round bales to maintain bale shape and provide a smooth surface that encourages water runoff.” Anderson recommends storing hay on elevated, well-drained spots that will prevent the bales from soaking up moisture from wet soil or standing water.

How do you deal with wet hay?

If in doubt, store hay outside and away from other dry haystacks. A partial solution or preventative measure to minimize the amount of wet hay baled is to simply use a mower/conditioner and tedder on hayfields. Conditioning and tedding hay increases drying rate and decreases risks of exposure to rainy weather.

Does hay lose nutrients if rained on?

The majority of the damage from untimely rains is the loss of soluble nutrients from the hay (the sugars). Even before rain damage, we lose some sugar during plant respiration that occurs from the time forage is cut until it reaches about 50% moisture content.

Dealing With Rained on Hay

How do you dry out hay?

The best moisture content to rake for low loss and good drying is between 30 and 40%. In dry weather periods, hay can be raked in the evening or early morning when leaves are moist and less prone to shatter. Raking at the proper time can reduce field-curing time a few hours to allow an earlier start at baling.

What happens if hay bales get rained on?

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. Above this, microbes begin to break down plant matter and mold growth occurs.

What happens if hay is baled wet?

If wet hay is baled while it is too wet, microbe populations will flourish and intensify the heating process. This results in hay that is lower in nutritive value and dry matter availability. Allowing cut hay to dry (or cure) will slow down the respiration process.

What happens to hay bales when they get wet?

If large squares are baled too wet, their larger, denser nature doesn't allow them to breathe and they will heat substantially even without added moisture from rain. This will occur if baled at over 16-18 per cent moisture content, and ideally, should be baled at less than 14 per cent moisture.

When should you cut hay after rain?

Cut it the day before a rain. Rain doesn't hurt the freshly cut hay really at all and when the weather clears the ground is much dryer than if you try to cut right after the rain.

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.

How long does it take for wet hay to combust?

“Depending on forage moisture at baling and how hay is stored, excessive heating and molding can occur,” Bushong said. “The time required from heating to combustion can vary from a few days to 10 weeks, depending on conditions.”

Can you save moldy hay?

Moldy hay frequently causes respiratory problems in horses. Recurrent airway obstruction, commonly known as heaves, is a lung disease that compromises a horse's ability to breathe. It is similar to asthma in humans and is a chronic condition that can only be managed, not cured.

Can you put wet hay in the barn?

Actually, wet hay is more likely to lead to spontaneous combustion than dry hay. If wet hay with more than 22% moisture is stored in a barn or stacked then the risk of spontaneous combustion is increased. Further, the wet hay loses in forage quality.

Can wet hay spontaneously combust?

“Excessive moisture is the most common cause of hay fires,” Schroeder says.” Odd as it might seem, wet hay is more likely to lead to a spontaneous-combustion fire than dry hay.” High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat.

Can horses eat hay that has been rained on?

Rained on hay is actually beneficial for horses prone to laminitis and other metabolic disorders because of its reduced carbohydrate content. Analyzing forage for nutrient content is recommended, but can be especially useful when determining the quality of rained on hay.

How can I dry hay fast?

Swath width is an easy adjustment that has a big impact on drying time. Lay the crop as wide as practical. Do not cut hay into a tight windrow. A wider swath will dry faster, because more drying area of the hay is exposed to sun and wind.

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.

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.

What can I do with Mouldy hay?

If hay is dusty or smells musty, do not feed it. Any black or gray mold is a sure sign of spoiled hay and potential health risk to the horse. Work with your hay supplier to replace unsuitable hay bales, and talk to your veterinarian about preventative measures for maintaining the horse's health.

What can be done with moldy hay?

If your moldy hay is still wrapped in its wire or plastic netting, consider using this bale as a planter. It would be best to use transplants and that your hay bale is composting. Place your moldy bale where you'd like and remove hay from the spots where you'll be planting your transplants.

What is the white stuff on hay?

In hay, the white mold in the bale is the mycelium and dustiness is from the tiny spores. The potential for hay molding starts even with the standing hay crop where bacteria protects the plant from fungal and yeast infections.

Does salting hay work?

In the past, some farmers have applied salt to the surface of hay that was baled wet, but research has shown little benefit from salting. While the theory is good, the amount of salt needed would be very large and expensive, and would likely reduce the palatability of the hay.

At what temperature does hay mold?

“Hay bale temperatures of 120°F to 130°F will likely result in mold growth and will make the protein in the hay less available to animals,” Hartschuh says. While these temperatures will not cause fires, continued mold growth can raise temperatures to dangerous levels.

Can hay bales explode?

STILLWATER — It might sound strange, but with no apparent ignition source, hay bales can burst into flames and cause much damage to storage facilities or spark a raging wildfire. The combination of low wind speeds, high humidity, moist hay and hot temperatures is a recipe for disaster.