Is it worth wrapping dry hay?
4 min read
Asked by: Cynthia Lyons
Wrapping dry hay allows farmers to protect feed from the weather without building more structures. If the hay is in string-tied bales and to be stored outside, then a couple turns of plastic may be an economic advantage, as long as the gain due to reduced storage losses outweighs the loss in increased expense.
Can you bale wrap dry hay?
Some producers who have limited inside space for storing dry hay rolls have successfully wrapped dry hay for outside storage. Typically only enough plastic to cover the bale is needed, usually 2 layers with about a 20% overlap at the edges.
When should I wrap my hay?
We recommend wrapping hay at 45% to 55% moisture for best results. Different moisture levels result in different outcomes: 55% to 65% moisture: Great for fermentation, but you run the risk of leaving a 1- to 2-inch-deep (2.5-cm to 5-cm) wet, rank layer on the outside of the bale.
Can hay be too dry?
To make good hay, enough moisture must be present to keep all the leaves intact. Too dry, and they shatter and fall off during the baling process. Too wet, and hay will heat and mold. Plants that are cut and baled for hay tend to lose some of their vitamins and protein if they become too mature or dry.
How do you keep hay from rotting?
Some people put it on asphalt. Or concrete. If you have it but anything to break the contact of the bale with the soil is truly beneficial to keep that Bale from taking up moisture from the soil.
How long will wrapped hay last?
In general, forages baled at 40-60% moisture will maintain feed value for about 12 months as long as the integrity of the plastic is maintained. However, even where the forage was baled at the appropriate moisture level and the plastic has minimal holes, it is good practice to feed baleage bales within 9 months.
What moisture should hay be to wrap?
between 40 and 55 percent
The ideal moisture content for baleage is between 40 and 55 percent. Wrapped bales create a condition for proper fermentation and longer-term storage. Dry matter losses will be lower when harvesting at these moisture levels. Producers can end up with tough hay when moisture ranges between 20 and 35 percent.
Does wrapped hay mold?
Hay wrapped at 35% moisture was fed to equines without causing adverse health effects in Sweden [4]. Others have observed surface mold between the hay and plastic wrap when dry hay (less than 15% moisture) was wrapped [8]. All feeds contain some level of mold, even feeds properly harvested and stored.
Which is better dry hay or haylage?
Some advantages over dry hay include less loss during storage, fewer weather delays at harvest, and faster turnaround from when the forage is down in both regrowth and time on the ground. The equipment changes are not significant but need to be considered.
How much does it cost to wrap hay?
Individual bale wrappers use the most plastic. Plastic can cost upward of $6 to $8 per bale, depending on the size of your bale, and a new wrapper itself can cost between $15,000 and $25,000.
How long does dry hay last?
Consider these points: If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.
How do you store hay so it doesn’t mold?
Stack the bottom layer of bales on their sides, with the strings facing sideways instead of up. The uneven surface allows better air circulation and helps prevent mold from growing. Stack the second layer with the strings facing up, all pointing in the same direction.
How do you store hay long term?
Keep the Hay Bales Off the Ground
- Some people like to use wooden pallets. …
- Add plastic covering inside them, and then place the hay on top.
- Not only will you have protection from the pallets, but also the protective plastic covering that you have used to line the bottom of those pallets.
Should hay be covered?
Protect valuable hay from the elements by storing it under cover in a building that doesn’t leak and has good ventilation. Choose a building on an elevated, well-drained site. Hay is highly flammable, so you don’t want it overhead if your main barn catches fire.
How do you keep hay dry without a barn?
The cheapest and most effective way to protect your hay without a barn is by using a simple system of a tarpaulin and pallets. Stack wooden pallets on the ground to keep the hay off the damp floor, then stack the hay on top of the pallets and cover the whole thing with a solid, heavy-duty tarpaulin.
