Hay is a major component of winter feeding programs for many cow-calf operations. Reducing hay losses during storage is critical to reduce overall winter feeding costs.
During storage, hay losses can range from about 2% to 50%. The amount of loss will depend on how long the hay is stored outside, how much annual rainfall the area receives, where the haystack is located, how the hay is stacked, the size of the bales and the density of the bales.
For hay stored outside, most loss occurs on the bottom of bales where they come in contact with the ground. Additionally, spoilage can also occur in the outer layers, reducing how much hay cattle will consume from a bale.
Hay should be stacked in areas with a slope that allows for good drainage. The USDA web soil survey can be used to identify soil types with less water-holding capacity in the top 12 inches. This reduces how much water is wicked into the bottom of bales from the ground.
Hay should never be stacked under trees. Stacking hay under trees reduces how quickly the bales will dry out after a rain. Additionally, the soil under trees may hold water longer, allowing more moisture to wick into the bottom of the bale.
Round bales should be stacked with the flat ends pushed firmly together to create long rows. This reduces the amount of hay exposed to the weather. The rounded sides of the bales will shed water better than the flat ends.
Rows of hay should be separated by at least 3 to 4 feet. This allows more sunlight and wind to reach the bales so that they dry out quicker after a rain.
Storage losses are reduced for bigger bales because less of the hay is exposed to the elements. Tight, dense bales can also help reduce storage losses.
Various strategies have been used by producers to reduce hay storage losses. Some of these strategies work well, while others are more trouble than they are probably worth. Putting hay on pallets may seem like a good idea, but pallets are a pain to deal with and carry an increased risk of flat tires. Many people also find that tarps may not work as well as they hoped or may not last long enough to pay for themselves. Using rock to make a pad to stack hay on has worked well for some producers.
