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

[powerscol]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[RickB]

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]

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]

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]

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.