Hay Sweating in Barn (moisture gain)???? Normal?

powerscol · Jun 1, 2016

I baled my hay Saturday at 7 to 14% moisture (most reading in the 8-12 range). I happen to break a bale open today , Wednesday) and found it felt damp. Grabbed the moisture meter and it now runs from 16 to 25% in the stack in the barn

I checked each bale several times. Is the normal? Am I in for trouble?
Thanks for any help.

Keith

DT86 · Jun 2, 2016

Is it heating up inside the bales? A hay fire is a very real risk at the high of moisture.

Edit to add first hit on Google.

Keeping Hay Fires from Spontaneously Combusting

Farmer495 · Jun 2, 2016

Never used a moisture meter, but if they feel hot, let them breathe somewhere. Heat means too damp/wet and will catch fire if too severe..

RickB · Jun 2, 2016

Hay is not gonna pick up 10 points in the barn. If it is warm and damp, you are getting true readings now. Move the hay out.

Tx Jim · Jun 2, 2016

RickB said:
Hay is not gonna pick up 10 points in the barn. If it is warm and damp, you are getting true readings now. Move the hay out.

I disagree. I've rd baled hay at or below 15% moisture checked by my Delmhorst moisture tester then checked again the next day with bales still in the field and moisture % would be in the low to mid 20's %. The 15% moisture in the hay at baling causes hay to heat a little creating a slight sweat making moisture content in hay rise.

RedNeckRacin · Jun 2, 2016

Smell the hay. A moisture meter is great but I can usually tell by smell if its to damp.

RickB · Jun 2, 2016

This is not a complex issue. 14% or lower hay will not pick up 10 points of moisture while stored in the barn, nor will 14% or lower hay heat appreciably in the barn. You guys can argue about this forever, I'm done here.

zzvyb6 · Jun 2, 2016

Your moisture meter only read the surface of the stems, not the interior level. So, the high interior content has bloomed out to the stalks. Your hay is gonna mold. Check your moisture meter by 1) hitting the cal button, and 2) measuring the level of your hands. I forget the exact number but its usually maybe 18 - 19% ???

My rule is that you should be able to hear the hay as it passes up from the feeder tines. If its crunchy, its DRY. Does your mower have condition rolls? If not, now you know why they are an important part of the hay preparation process: cracking the stems to let moisture out.

CalG · Jun 2, 2016

Bale it, but don't stack it tight in the barn till its has set a day or two. Check for heat, then put it away.
Those open frame hay wagons, with the bales tossed in off the baler kicker are handy if you aren't putting up more hay than you have trailers ;-)

DT86 · Jun 3, 2016

RickB said:
You guys can argue about this forever, I'm done here.

Who is arguing???

Don't let the door hit your huge head on the way out.

Tx Jim · Jun 3, 2016

This same subject is discussed on another site if anyone desires to read the threads. IMHO there's a big difference in discussing & arguing!! Puzzle - Hay gained moisture in Barn? - Alfalfa/Hay - HayTalk - Hay & Forage Community

Ed of all trades · Jun 3, 2016

zzvyb6 said:
My rule is that you should be able to hear the hay as it passes up from the feeder tines. If its crunchy, its DRY. Does your mower have condition rolls? If not, now you know why they are an important part of the hay preparation process: cracking the stems to let moisture out.

IMHO if it is crunchy it is to dry and you are loosing nutrients in the field from the sun bleaching them. To much moisture is of course bad but nor enough is also bad and a waste of food value. I don't know what numbers to use, I just know how to twist a handful and know if it is ready or not. Sounds more reliable than the meter. Ed

Clint S · Jun 3, 2016

Tx Jim said:
This same subject is discussed on another site if anyone desires to read the threads. IMHO there's a big difference in discussing & arguing!! Puzzle - Hay gained moisture in Barn? - Alfalfa/Hay - HayTalk - Hay & Forage Community

Same guy, same issue. We don't use a meter, go by the old men feeling it, smelling it and listening to the bailer work. What we have found is that it does seem to gain a bit on certain occasions. We just salt them down, and don't stack any on top for a week or so.

Tx Jim · Jun 3, 2016

Clint S said:
Same guy, same issue. We don't use a meter, go by the old men feeling it, smelling it and listening to the bailer work. What we have found is that it does seem to gain a bit on certain occasions. We just salt them down, and don't stack any on top for a week or so.

True it's the same person asking question but different responders(posters) except for maybe me.

cat fever · Jun 3, 2016

Not an expert by no means, but if the inside of the bales are not hot/very warm then it's not an issue right? Of course I feed cows and they like mold. I know it's different with horses.

Tx Jim · Jun 3, 2016

Some forms of mold will cause pregnant cows to abort.

cat fever · Jun 3, 2016

Tx Jim said:
Some forms of mold will cause pregnant cows to abort.

Good to know.
Of course I would prefer not to have any mold. Only had it one time and it was hay I bought.

powerscol · Jun 4, 2016

Tx Jim said:
This same subject is discussed on another site if anyone desires to read the threads. IMHO there's a big difference in discussing & arguing!! Puzzle - Hay gained moisture in Barn? - Alfalfa/Hay - HayTalk - Hay & Forage Community

That was me on the other site too. I have several sites I use depending on the issues and brand of equipment. I gain a lot of information. So far no big heat in the bales and % moisture is dropping - still in the 20% but not as high. Bales are stacked loosely ( can see light between them) in the center foyer with air flowing through. It will be a week tomorrow that they were baled. I plan to use them first.

I may look into one of the Hayguard units that fits my baler, or other - any recommendations for my edification

tcreeley · Jun 4, 2016

In my experience- the hay better feel dry to the touch, the bale needs to be light for the size - almost with a bounce when thrown - otherwise it is going to mold and then it is useless for horse. Mold turns dusty - bad for the lungs.

powerscol · Jun 16, 2016

tcreeley said:
In my experience- the hay better feel dry to the touch, the bale needs to be light for the size - almost with a bounce when thrown - otherwise it is going to mold and then it is useless for horse. Mold turns dusty - bad for the lungs.

I agree - that is what I was trying for - next time I'll wait a day more.