Winter is upon us and it is vital that you protect your investment and start of the year right. Whether you get snow or not winter is typically a wet time of year across parts of the United States. Western Packaging wants to help you protect your assets, here are some storage ideas for storing hay for winter.
1. Promote Proper Bale Density
Proper bale density is an important part of protecting your hay, even more so when there is the possibility for moisture loss. Loosely packed hay can retain moisture that can penetrate the hay allowing microbes to use the oxygen to break down the hay’s nutrients. If this happens excessive losses are to be expected.
A simple way to check your bales density is to press your palm up against the bale. If you can press the bale in by more than a half an inch, the bale is too loose and you should expect losses. You can prevent losses in these specific bales by storing them inside.
2. Store Your Hay Indoors
Storing hay for winter indoors is always the best option, being that you can better control its climate and environment. You will preserve color and quality and reduce your DM (dry matter) losses significantly. It is not necessary to have something with four walls for bale storage, even a structure with a roof alone will help to prevent moisture build-up and losses.
3. Top Covers
Top covers are a great way to reduce losses. Being that indoor storage is usually not an option for most, top covers rate well for promoting high-quality winter hay storage. Many farmers choose to keep their round bales outside and open to the elements.
The main issue with this is that exposure to the elements can reduce the hay’s digestibility. To prevent this use a tarp, plastic wrap, or canvas cover to prevent DM losses.
4. Elevate The Hay On An Incline To Reduce Moisture
Storing your hay allows for better drainage while elevating your hay is important to promote proper air circulation around the hay bales. Storing your hay directly on the ground can account for up to half of your DM losses, you can store it on pallets to be off the ground. This is especially true in the winter when the ground is moist and the sun is not as warm to keep the ground and the hay dry.
When storing your hay up off the ground there are a few cost-effective ways that may work for you. You may be able to find people giving away old pallets, tires, bricks, railroad ties, and even old fence post. Get creative and keep your hay off the ground.
5. Leave Space For Bales To Breath
Adequate circulation is a must when storing your hay in the winter. You want to make sure that you leave the right amount of space between the bales to deter excess moisture. It is not recommended that you stack your hay bales unless you cover them or store them inside. covered.
When you do, make sure that there are at least 2 feet from the top of the structure and the surface of the hay. Knowing how to store your bales outside will help keep from errors being made. You should place them north to south, end to end, making sure to keep around 3 to 4 feet of space between each row for proper air circulation. This will help prevent your winter DM losses.
We Want To Hear From You
The team at Western Packaging wants to hear from you. If you are in need of winter storage solutions for your hay give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you!
