Proper Storage, Sampling Promote High Hay Quality

By Tanner Hood

As spring rolls into summer-like weather, hay bales dot passing pastures  a result of Alabama farmers’ top-notch forage crops. 

Producing high-quality hay is a year-round effort, with soil testing and fertilizer spreading leading to timely cutting and baling. Protecting quality doesn’t stop once the forage is tightly bundled and ready to be fed, said Pike County Farmers Federation board member Steve Stroud. 

“The biggest thing about quality is the timing of getting hay in the bale and under the barn,” said Stroud, who also serves on the Alabama Farmers Cooperative board of directors. “The quicker hay is put under the barn and stacked well means it can be nearly as good of quality in the winter as it was the day it was put up.”

Stroud said protecting hay from the elements is a top concern. 

“The longer it sits out, the sun is going to bleach it and dry it out, or rain will weather it, leading to spoilage and mold,” Stroud said. “Wet hay leads to moldy hay, and just like us, cows don’t need mold on their food, or it can cause issues. Hay under a barn keeps its quality and color, which means it will sell better and is healthier for animals.” 

Large-scale forage production and poultry farming have been Stroud’s focus since selling his cows over a decade ago. Because of his beef background, Stroud understands the including the importance of proper hay storage techniques. 

“When something dry like hay is placed on the ground, it’s going to try to absorb any moisture under it,” Stroud said. “I come in and put a thick layer of loose hay down to create a barrier and keep those bottom bales from spoiling. I’m also careful about how high I stack my hay to prevent the bottom layers from being weighed down so much the shape of the hay is affected.”

There’s a fine line of getting hay into the barn too quickly, Stroud cautioned. Putting hay away right after baling can lead to a high moisture content that will cause the bale to sweat and mold or catch fire. Hay put up wet will have to be pulled back out to dry, so it’s best to leave bales out overnight if possible and then stack them in the barn, Stroud said.

 Another avenue for promoting quality can be hay sampling, which determines nutritional value, said Alabama Extension’s Elli Zorn. 

“We want to know what we’re eating and how that’s affecting our body; taking hay samples is the same thing for livestock,” said Zorn, who works in animal sciences and forages. “It’s important to know what livestock are being fed and ask, ‘Are they getting the nutrients they need to not only survive but thrive?’” 

Hay sampling is a simple tool that can have major impacts, Zorn said. 

“Sampling can help a farmer save money in multiple ways,” Zorn said. “If livestock are being under-supplemented, the farmer is losing money in the animal’s performance. If they’re being over-supplemented, the farmer is spending more money than necessary on supplements. Knowing what is in hay allows a farmer to know what they need, or don’t need, to add to their rations.”

She added, “It’s obvious when hay has been weathered, but no one can walk up to the average hay bale and know the quality of that forage.”