Hay storage experts

A

AWinter

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 February 2021
Messages
279
Visit site
I store my hay in a huge open barn, it is walled on 3 sides the other is open, no rain gets in but I'm having an issue with my hay feeling damp where its open to the air? I've just bought 30 small timothy bales and they are damp to touch after a night in the barn. Is there anything I can do, would covering with tarp make it worse? I have large round bales that are doing okay as they only get damp once opened and I'm feeding that part within a day. Is this a huge concern if I'm feeding the hay within the next 2 months or so? I can't change anything about the barn itself its not mine. Think I'm going to stick with wrapped bales after this its so hard to source and then keep hay healthy.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Can you attach hooks, eyelet rings etc to the beam across the open side?
Then you could tie a tarp across as a big drop curtain, this would give a fair bit of protection from any driving rain.
You may well need tyres etc to weigh down the bottom of it.
Click to expand...
I don't think I can its a huge old farm building, very high ceiling and the opening is probably 40m across. I don't think rain is hitting it I think its just moisture in the air? I've noticed if I ever hang rugs to dry in the stables which are also in the barn they take a really long time.
 
I've got some in the same type of barn and have draped a couple of old turnout rugs over the exposed side which seems to work well x
 
meleeka said:
Tarp could work but you need to have air around the hay, so not wrapped tightly. A few buckets on the top could work to keep it off the hay
Click to expand...
Ah this is such a good idea thank you, like create a small room out of tarp. There's just too much moisture in the air I didn't realise there were so many considerations around storing hay, I just thought out of rain job done.
 
Dam1 said:
I've got some in the same type of barn and have draped a couple of old turnout rugs over the exposed side which seems to work well x
Click to expand...
That's great thanks, the round bales this will work on, it my stack of 30 timothy bales I'm having the issue with but I'm going to try a tarp
 
Are they off the ground? I store mine on palettes so air can circulate under and have tarps on 4 sides away from hay.
If it's already damp tarps directly on top could make it sweat so palettes on top with tarp over?
 
Nicnac said:
Are they off the ground? I store mine on palettes so air can circulate under and have tarps on 4 sides away from hay.
If it's already damp tarps directly on top could make it sweat so palettes on top with tarp over?
Click to expand...
yes they're on pallets, there just seems to be so much moisture in the air in there, definitely going to try tarp but lifted away from them somehow, thanks :)
 
We’ve used roofing breather membrane as a direct onto the bales wrap, fastened with baler twine. The 2-way membrane lets the hay breathe OUT, out but stops moisture coming IN. It has to be put on with the right side facing out, so you avail of the correct direction of breathability, but that’s fairly easy as it’s usually printed on the membrane.

For very dry hay moisture testing 18% and below, I’ve wrapped on a pallet with a few layers of plastic pallet wrap, bottom included before stacking, under cover in a cool storage area. Best to leave the top open so excess moisture can breathe out. Moisture tends to travel upwards out of a wrapped stack.
But best not plastic-wrap bales testing damper, as they’ll mould. But it’s a good method for really dry hay to keep it fresh over damp winter months.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top