Success StoryHay storage – proper moisture and temperature



Hay storage – proper moisture and temperature

Author: Colby Guffey

Planning Unit: Clinton County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Livestock, Poultry & Crops

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Beef producers making round bale hay have been encouraged to protect their investment in the stored forage by limiting exposure to weather.  A couple of young producers have taken advantage of a low interest loan program and built permanent hay storage structures. The hay storage will provide shelter for their baled hay until winter feeding time. One thing that producers often struggle with is, when should they stack the rolled hay in the barn. Baled hay has a tendency to heat soon after baling, especially if the moisture content of the forage was higher than expected. Rolled hay that was baled with a higher than desired moisture content, stacked tightly in a barn can pose a risk for catching fire. Several producers have contacted the local ANR Agent to assist them in determining the moisture and temperature of their baled hay before storing inside the new hay barns. Ideally the moisture for rolled hay is < 18%, and the internal temperature is declining or near ambient temperature before storing hay inside.  Rolled hay that is stored inside and the internal bale temperature it rising, particularly 140 F or above can be at risk for spontaneous combustion and should be monitored closely.  A bale probe was used by the ANR Agent at each location several days in a row to determine moisture content and if internal bale temperature was declining. This information was used by the producers to determine when to stack their hay inside to help reduce the risk of a hay fire.    






Stories by Colby Guffey


Wheat for forage

about 4 years ago by Colby Guffey

Wheat is often used as a source of forage for beef cattle in the area. With the late freeze events o... Read More


Hay storage – proper moisture and temperature

about 4 years ago by Colby Guffey

Beef producers making round bale hay have been encouraged to protect their investment in the stored ... Read More


Stories by Clinton County CES


Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours

about 4 years ago by Christy Stearns

KASPER, the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting System, tracks controlled substa... Read More


Cook Together, Eat Together Online

about 4 years ago by Christy Stearns

Eating more fruits and vegetables is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention... Read More


Stories by Forages


Small Horse Farm Improves Forage from UK Equine Pasture Evaluation Program

Small Horse Farm Improves Forage from UK Equine Pasture Evaluation Program

about 4 years ago by Jimmy Henning

In 2016, Paul and Melita Knapper were the first farm to be enrolled in the RCPP Overgrazing and Soil... Read More


Baleage Program Success

Baleage Program Success

about 4 years ago by Benjamin Conner

Producing feedstuff for livestock is important in Scott County because of the large importance of be... Read More