Why is hay kept in a loft?

Asked by: Hassan Ram

A hayloft is used for more permanent storage of hay. It is sheltered from the weather and where a modern-day attic would be. A struggle in any type of keeping hay is that it must be totally dry. Otherwise, when piled up in a hayloft, it will start to compost.

What is the best way to store hay?

Store hay inside



“In most cases, it is recommended to elevate bales using gravel, which can reduce DM losses to 3-15%. The best option for storage is covering hay bales with tarps, which will help to prevent losses on hay stored outside.”

How does a hay loft work?

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How do you store hay in a loft?

Keep the hay dry by making sure no roof leaks or water drainage problems can affect it ,and minimize or channel away any condensation that might accumulate on the inside of the roof. Stack hay for maximum air flow. Bales should be stacked in closely butted rows with a gap between rows for air circulation.

Why do you store the hay?

Protect it from moisture, and also from rodents, whose droppings can contaminate hay. Storing hay on pallets or boards can help increase ventilation, but avoiding packing your loft to the rafters, as this will merely inhibit peak ventilation, affecting your entire barn.

Are hay lofts safe?

Throwing hay down from a loft is going to produce a lot airborne dust just where you don’t want it — floating at eye and nose level, where it can become an irritant or worse to your horse’s mucous membranes. It’s a real concern to consider before adding a hay loft to your barn plans. Hay loft con: Fire risk.

How do you make a hay shelter?

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Where do you keep hay?

Your hay does best in the dark, where sun can’t damage it. It also does best in dry places, with lots of ventilation. That means basements are not a good place to store hay – they are dark, but typically the air flow is next to nothing. And dampness is usually a problem down there in the cellar.

What is a place to store hay?

The most likely answer for the clue is BARN.

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.

Does hay go Mouldy?

Mold and bacteria will grow on hay (without preservative added) at moisture levels above 14% to 15%. The mold growth produces heat, carbon dioxide and water, which further damages the hay. Moldy hay can result in dry matter and nutrient loss and produce spores and dust.

How long can hay sit out?

Hay can typically be stored outdoors and uncovered for up to three months, with a maximum of six months. Hay bales typically have a density of about 160–190kg/m3, but high density bales can be up to about 240–280kg/m3. Rectangular bales have higher bulk density than round bales.

Can hay bales go bad?

With too much moisture, hay can spoil while baled hay can experience thermal expansion—causing it to combust and creating a severe hazard. Because of this, checking the moisture content of hay with a hay moisture meter before baling begins is an integral part of harvesting.

Why do farmers leave hay bales in the field?

You might find hay bales left in a field simply because a farmer hasn’t had time to stop by and grab the bales yet. Most farmers work overtime during the summer to get the hay in the barn by the time the fields stop producing.

Is green hay better?

Green. Without question, the most desirable color of hay is bright green. Greenness indicates the hay was not subjected to any adverse conditions during curing or storage, thereby suggesting the forage is nutritious and free of molds.

Why do farmers roll up hay?

Why do they do that? Farmers often bale hay in large round bales instead of small square bales because they require less labor to bale and move than small square bales. The shape of round bales enables them to be stored outside, something you would never do with square bales.

What are those big rolls of hay called?

Balers that produce the large round bales you see dotting the countryside are the most common type of balers available today. These balers produce what are referred to as ton bales. These bales of hay can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

Why are hay bales wrapped in different Colours?

“Farmers who use darker plastic will see it break down more quickly than those who use lighter-colored material. The darker plastic breaks down faster in the summer heat and sun, making it more permeable to oxygen and limiting the fermentation process,” Hall explains.

Why do they wrap hay in plastic?

The last few decades have brought increased interest in the use of plastic wrapped bales for forage. The advantages are clear: reduction in drying time, better leaf retention compared to dry hay, no storage structures needed, and reduction in weather risk.

Is wrapping hay worth it?

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.

Does wrapped hay mold?

Moisture and mold counts



Orchardgrass packaged in large round bales is prone to molding and forage quality loss at relatively low moisture. Orchardgrass hay baled at 12 percent moisture had low mold counts compared to unwrapped bales harvested at 17 to 33 percent moisture.

When should I wrap my hay?

When to wrap. For optimal preservation, wrap bales within 24 hours of baling using 6- to 8-mil-thick plastic. Bales left unwrapped for more than 48 hours can reach internal temperatures over 130 degrees F. These bales tend to have lower forage quality and greater mold throughout the bales.

Can you wrap rained on hay?

If rain damage often plagues your hay making, you might consider using plastic wrap this year. Try baling it tough, then wrapping it with stretch plastic wrap to keep water and air out while keeping nutrients in. Studies have shown excellent success wrapping bales containing 25% to 40% moisture.

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.