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Nutrition, Forage & GrazingHay Storage and Spoilage Prevention
Hay is a big investment, and rain, ground moisture and poor stacking can quietly waste a lot of it. A little planning protects both the feed and the cattle.
Key points
- Moisture is the main cause of hay spoilage, so keep it off the ground and out of the rain.
- Choose a well-drained site, leave space between rows and cover carefully.
- Wet baled hay can heat and burn; call the fire department rather than probing a hot stack.
- Do not feed musty or moldy hay without veterinary and nutritionist advice.
Why hay spoils
Hay spoils when moisture gets in. Rain, snow, wet ground and trapped humidity all start the process, and the outer layer of a round bale or the bottom of a stack often goes first. Spoiled hay loses feed value and can become moldy.
Moldy or heated hay can cause health problems in cattle, including respiratory trouble and in some cases abortions. Do not feed hay that smells musty or looks moldy without advice.
Even in good storage some loss is normal at the outer edge of a bale. Where you can, feed those outer layers first and keep an eye on how much is ruined so you know whether your storage is paying for itself.
Pick a good site
Choose a high, well-drained spot where water runs away from the stack. Avoid low areas, spots under drips from trees or buildings and places where snow drifts. Keep the site clear of weeds and brush.
Make sure you can reach the stack safely with equipment in wet or snowy weather.
Leave a clear access lane and an open space around the stack so equipment, a fire truck or a worker can reach it if needed. A stack jammed against a fence or building is hard to manage and harder to rescue.
- High ground with good drainage
- Away from trees that drip or block drying
- Easy and safe access for equipment
- Clear of brush and weeds
Build a base and arrange bales
Put hay up off the ground when you can, on pallets, gravel, rock or another base that keeps bales out of mud. Ask your extension specialist about options in your area.
Leave room between rows so air and sunlight can dry the bales and water can run off. Packing bales tight against each other holds moisture. Place rows in the direction that your extension office recommends for your local weather.
Cover and shelter
Barns and sheds give the best protection, but they cost more. Tarps and covers can help if they are secured, sloped to shed water and kept in good condition. Poorly fitted tarps can trap moisture.
Whatever you use, check it after storms and repair damage right away.
Round bales stored outside can shed water better when they are tightly wrapped and stood on level ground, and net wrap or plastic should be checked for tears. Ask your extension office what works in your climate.
Moisture, heat and fire safety
Hay that is baled too wet can heat up and in rare cases catch fire. Never store hay that you suspect is wet, and keep an eye on any stack that smells strongly or feels unusually warm. Do not climb or probe a hot stack yourself. Call your fire department for advice.
Keep hay away from houses and barns with animals when possible, keep fuel and equipment away and follow fire safety guidance from your extension office or local fire officials.
Check and use hay in order
Use the oldest hay first and keep a record of where each lot is stored. Check the stack regularly, and test hay you are unsure about before feeding.
If hay looks or smells off, do not feed it to pregnant cows. Call your veterinarian and a nutritionist about whether it is safe and how it might be used.
Keep notes on where the best hay is stored, and feed the best hay to the cows that need it most. A little organization in the stack saves a lot of guessing in the winter.
Common mistakes and what to ask
Common mistakes include storing hay on bare ground, packing bales too tightly, leaving covers torn, mixing lots and ignoring warm or musty hay.
Ask your extension office about storage that fits your climate. Ask your nutritionist whether stored hay still meets needs, and ask your veterinarian before feeding hay you doubt.
- Hay on bare wet ground
- Bales packed tight
- Torn or loose covers
- Feeding questionable hay
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.