With the winter season soon approaching it is time to start thinking about the best ways to store all the hay that you have either worked extremely hard harvesting over the summer or purchased in preparation for the winter. Western Packaging can help with the use of hay sleeves but here are some tips that aid in storing your hay through the winter.
1. Store Hay Indoors
Storing your hay in an indoor structure is the best option. The structure does not need to be 4 walls and a roof, it can be a structure that is just a roof. Storing indoors is optimal because the color will be preserved as well as the quality. You are also able to reduce the loss of dry matter.
2. Maintain Bale Density
Being sure that the outer layer of your hay bales is properly tightened is one of the main ways to ensure proper storage. If the bales are too loose then this allows for moisture and other elements to penetrate causing a loss of product.
3. Storage Site Selection
Selecting the proper site to keep your bales is very important. You want to choose a location that has good airflow, and that is not shaded by trees especially if you are storing your hay outdoors. You want to make sure that the drying conditions are at their best to minimize the loss of any hay.
4. Elevate Your Hay Bales
Elevating your bales of hay will prevent anywhere from 5-20% of any loss of your dry matter. You can elevate using these methods:
- Pallets (new or old)
- Used Tires
- Fence Posts
- Racks
- 4 – to 6- inch layer of rocks
Using any of these methods will work to preserve your hay during the winter months. Keeping it off the direct ground helps to allow for air circulation and faster drying.
5. Proper Stacking Of Round And Square Bales
When it comes to stacking your hay there are specific ways to do so to ensure proper storage. For round bales, it is best to stack these end-to-end keeping about 3-4 feet of space between each row. For square bales, it is best to stack these in a square stack pattern alternating so they do not fall over.
6. Cover, Cover, Cover
The use of tarps, plastic wraps, sleeves, or canvases will help prevent your bales, especially your round bales, from getting weathered. If your hay is left to be weathered it lessens the ability of your livestock to be able to digest it.
Noticing a pattern? The key to storing your hay through the winter is to keep it dry. Keeping it dry is the best way to ensure that your time, work, money, and product are not lost.
We Want to Help
If you are in need of winter storage for your hay bales our team at Western Packaging is eagerly waiting to help you. Contact us today, we are looking forward to hearing from you.
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