October 2018 Articles

Archives by Months

Pasture to Market

Pasture to Market Hay Storage — Three factors cause loss during hay storage: 1)respiration 2)microorganisms and 3)leaching. Respiration is the continuation of normal plant processes after the plant has been but. Most respiration loss ceases after the moisture of the hay declines to 40%or less, but some respiration may continue at low levels at even lower moisture. Microorganisms, mainly molds, can cause significant losses of both dry matter and forage quality. Microorganism activity is responsible for the heating of hay which, in some cases, can be high enough to result in a fire. Leaching is simply the washing of nutrients out of hay as a result of exposure to rainwater. In general, the more highly digestible nutrients are, the more easily they are leached from hay. These three types of losses are all affected by moisture content, including moisture reaching the hay after it has been cured and baled. Respiration, and especially microorganism activity, increases as the moisture content of hay increases. The rule for safe storage of small rectangular bales of hay is that moisture content should be 20% or lower. For large round bales, the moisture content should be 18% or lower. Even when hay is stored inside, dry matter and forage quality losses significantly increase as the moisture increases above these levels. When water is allowed to reach hay during storage, it will cause leaching of nutrients. Respiration and microorganism activity will increase also. Optimum efficiency in hay production is important for profit generation, regardless of whether it is grown for ranch consumption or for sale. Hay harvest can become very inefficient if the wrong equipment is used in the process. Taking sufficient time to choose the right machinery for the particular forage operation is a key task for producing hay economically. Usually, the first consideration in any purchase is price; however, value relevant to cost should also be evaluated. It is very important that equipment is suitable for the size of the operation and that it will match other hay harvesting equipment on hand. Although round bales are convenient and reduce labor, their use results in much costly storage loss. Many producers need to seek ways to reduce their hay losses. To an extent, hay losses can be reduced by wise decision on purchasing balers. A baler should be selected that produces a high-density bale because such bales shed water better. Bale densities will range from 8 to 14 pounds (lb.) per cubic feet (cu. ft.) for hay, depending on the baler. Bale weight is related to both density and size. A University of Missouri study showed dry-matter (DM) loss in exposed, high-density bales is a very acceptable 3%-5%. It is generally recommended that balers should provide a density of at least 10 pounds of hay per cubic foot, at least on the outer portion of the bales. Furthermore, other things being equal, the percentage of loss from a given depth of spoilage declines as bale density increases. The weathering loss of hay kept outside for several months in humid climates such as the Southeast is typically 25%-30% or higher. This weathering increases dry matter losses, lowers forage quality and increases the amount of hay refusal by livestock. Hay weathering is aggravated by high rainfall, frequent rainfall, high humidity and high temperatures, all of which can be common in our state. If hay is to be stored outside, it should be stored on a well-drained site. More than half the weathering loss typically occurs at the bottom of the bales as a result of moisture moving into the bale from the soil. Eliminate soil contact by placing bales on something such as crushed rock. There are several points regarding bale placement within the storage site than can be helpful. Bales should be tightly pushed against one another with the flat sides touching. The rows of bales should be placed in a north-south direction and should be at least 3 feet apart to allow good airflow between them. The rows should face downslope to allow water to drain away. A number of types of wrapping can be used to protect hay, and these vary in cost and effectiveness. But the best way to store hay to prevent losses is to put it under a shelter, such as a hay barn. The cost of building storage structures varies, and the practicality of building a barn for storing hay is affected by the normal amount of loss sustained and the value of the hay. It is clear, however, that many producers who store hay outside could easily justify the expense of a barn or shelter to protect it when weighed against losses of our most precious winter feeding commodity. — Jason E. Holmes, Regional Livestock Specialist; Reference: LSU AgCenter publication #2836.