A really stupid hay question.

[Ceifer]

I’ve been offered some hay that’s really lovely quality. The farmer wants to sell the rest off so he can restock when he starts baling new.

It was baled June 23 and by the time I finish the last of the bales I’m guesstimating it it’ll be Jan 25.

Is it likely to have deteriorated too much by then?

 

[Shoei]

No, it will be fine

 

[paddy555]

I always use old hay up until Christmas. I've probably got about 300 left.

If it's nice hay I would buy it then at least you have some.
At this time of the year, especially in the current wet climate, we have no idea what this year's hay harvest will be like. It only needs to go back to rain again and hay making will stop.
A wet summer and there could be a shortage. Fine no problems.

 

[tda]

Snap it up!

 

[Maryann]

I'm still using June 22 hay as it's better than the September 23 stuff.

 

[Shoei]

we are worrying about our hay crop, it's grown amazingly well but no signs of summer to cut it!

 

[94lunagem]

Bite his hand off!

 

[ycbm]

Just be aware that the vitamins will degrade, and you might need to top them up with a supplement, but otherwise it will be absolutely fine if it's well stored.
.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It will be fine I've fed 2 year old hay just the outer layer was a bit dusty but apart from that it was fine and they ate it.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm still using June 22 hay as it's better than the September 23 stuff.

Same here.

Nobody made decent hay hereabouts in 2023, so I was very pleased to get 140 bales of 2022 hay which I’m still working my way through.

 

[SilverLinings]

There is no such thing as a stupid question OP, if we don't know something then we should always feel comfortable to ask!

As others have said, I would be happy using it if it is nice hay and you have somewhere completely dry to store it. I would suggest looking at it carefully as if it is already rather dusty it will only get worse, and make sure you check more than one bale. It sounds lovely though, and as this summer has been quite wet so far you will probably save some money buying it now.

 

[SantaVera]

Should be fine. Lucky you!

 

[Ceifer]

Thanks all.

I’ve had 20 bales already and it’s probably the nicest hay I’ve purchased in about 4 years. I’ve always had to steam but this is pretty dust free. Neither of my horses are coughing and they’re hoovering it up.

I’m going to go and collect it later in the week.

 

[Lois Lame]

I'd grab that hay too. It sounds great. Even if you weren't having a wet summer, I'd still buy it.