KADOKA PRESS - Pioneer Review

Agriculture …
Winner Regional Extension Center
Bob Fanning, Plant Pathology Field Specialist • 605-842-1267
Minimizing Losses
in Hay Storage
Many areas are experiencing
low hay yields in 2012, and with
hay prices at high levels, minimizing
storage losses is increasingly
important.
One of the most economical hay
production packages is large round
bales. This is primarily because of
low labor requirements. However,
storage losses are often substantial.
Making a well-formed, dense
bale is the first step toward reducing
storage losses. Moisture content
at baling also plays an
important role. If hay is too wet,
quality can decrease due to heating
and molds. Baling too dry can
cause baler losses to increase dramatically.
Round bales should be
baled at 15 to 20 percent, with the
ideal moisture content about 17
percent.
Storage method and length of
storage period have a tremendous
impact on weathering losses.
Barn-stored hay suffers significantly
less weathering loss than
unprotected hay stored outside.
Dry matter losses for barn-stored
hay are typically in the 2- to 8-percent
range. Covering outside
stored hay can also reduce weathering.
Hay stored outside will continue
to deteriorate as long as it is
stored, however most spoilage occurs
early in the storage period.
Large round bale storage losses
can easily exceed 25 percent when
bales are stored outside, unprotected,
but losses can be minimized
through good management.
If outside storage is the chosen
method, pay close attention to selecting
a storage site and stacking
method.
A well-drained site minimizes
deterioration on the bottom of the
bale. Bales stored on damp soil absorb
moisture that causes damage.
If possible, elevate bales by stacking
on old tires, shipping pallets or
railroad ties. Adding a base layer
of 3- to 4-inch crushed rock to the
storage site will also help minimize
losses at the bottom of bales.
Storing bales on the ridge of a hill
instead of near the bottom will also
reduce bottom deterioration.
Weeds or tall grass at the storage
site will increase deterioration of
the bottom of the bale.
Round bales stored outside need
air circulation and sunlight to help
dry the outer layer after a rain.
Storing the bales under trees
blocks wind circulation and sunlight,
which helps dry the bales.
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Any protection that trees might
offer from rain is more than offset
by the damage due to the shading
they provide.
Bales are sometimes stored individually
without touching other
bales for ease of handling with
equipment that grabs the bale
from both ends. If stored individually,
leave at least 12-18 inches between
bales for air circulation.
Storing bales with the rounded
sides touching is not recommended.
This creates a trap for
rain and snow. The bales may be
easier to handle with some equipment,
but losses will be higher.
Tightly aligning bales end to end
better utilizes storage area and
protects the ends of the bales from
weathering. Leave 12-18 inches
between the rounded sides to avoid
trapping rain or snow. Aligning
rows north-south allows equal
amount of sunlight on both sides of
the row.
Stacking bales in pyramids is
popular to save space, but can result
in high levels of loss due to
rain and snow accumulation at the
junction of the layers. Stacking
bales by turning one bale on end,
with another on top (rounded side
up) reduces losses to nearly as low
as bales stored in rows, one bale
high, but also saves space. Plastic
bale covers or bags can reduce
losses, but they should be fastened
securely to the bale so the wind
will not tear them.
Calendar
6/21/2012: SDSU CPT Winter
Wheat Variety Plot Tour, 5:30 p.m.,
Ideal, SD
6/28/2012: Dakota Lakes Research
Farm Tour, 3:00 p.m. –
dark, 17 miles east of Pierre, SD
on Hwy 34
June 21, 2012 • Kadoka Press • Page 10
press@kadokatelco.com