Winters are one of the most critical times for hay storage. There is less sun exposure, higher moisture in the air with dewy nights along with a higher probability of rain and snow. Wet winters mean a direct threat to your hay bales which is why hay storage is a top concern during this season. Here are some important tips which can help you store your bakes better to ensure minimally loss and spoilage.
Get Your Bale Density Right
Many people who are new to handling hay tend to overlook the importance of having your hay density right. A loosely packed hay will allow moisture to penetrate through the stack. As a result the hay nutrients will break down resulting in excessive loss and spoilage. This loss can be avoided by packing the hay tightly and increasing the bale density in your stacks. Ideally, you should only be able to press less than a half inch of bake if you press it with your palms. If your bale gets pressed in more than that, avoid storing it outdoor at all costs.
Indoor Storage
Bales are extremely sensitive to environmental factors. They can be damaged by moisture in the air, get exposed to rain, even if it is a light drizzle and can even be attacked by rodents, cats and bugs. It is humanly impossible for you to guard your bales 24/7 when they are stored outdoors. Therefore, it is very important that you store your bales indoors in a well protected area.
Bale Wraps
Although indoor storage is the ideal option, it is understandable that it is not possible to store the entire yield indoors due to space limitations. It is inevitable that some of the bales will have to be stored outdoors as there is not much choice. However, you can still protect your hay outdoors by covering your bales with bale wraps. Bale wraps are coverings that are meant to protect your bales from environmental threats such as moisture, animal and pest attacks etc. The catch however is to use the right kind of wrapping. Bale wraps are available in different materials such as plastic, twines, and net.
Generally, people go with cheaper materials such as twines to save material costs. Interestingly, while the material cost is slightly higher for nets, the cost of wrapping, labour costs and fuel costs for baler are much lower for bale net wrap since it uses much lesser turns. Moreover, the leaf loss and spoilage during the wrapping process is much less for the net as compared to other material. Net wrappings have the best water shedding ability compared to any other material which ensures minimum spoilage.
Place Hay on the Right Surface
When storing outdoors, even the best bale wraps can result in spoilage if your bales are not placed on the right surface. While it is true that bale net wraps allow water-shedding, it is important that the base surface has good drainage capacity such as wood pellets or clay. Moreover, make sure that the surface has a little inclined to facilitate better drainage. If the bales are placed on a flat surface with poor drainage, the moisture and water will accumulate at the lower layers of the bales resulting in greater bale spoilage.
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