1. Hay Moisture Probe

2. Rate of Respiration Loss Depends on Internal Crop Moisture and Air Temperature
Moisture level, %
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
DM losses, (% DM/hour)
95° F
77° F

3. Drying Times Vary 80 60 40 Moisture (%) 20 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Days
Days 80 60 40 20
Moisture (%)
Good Drying
Conditions
Poor Drying
Conditions

4. Conditioner Drying Rates
Alfalfa
Grass

5. The Effect of Conditioner on the Relative Drying Rate of Alfalfa
Not-tedded
Tedded
(difference from control) -----
No conditioner **
+17%
Rubber crimping roll
+18%
+48%
Steel flail
+24%
+50%
Plastic V-flail
+14%
+35%
Alfalfa
Grass

6. Night-Time Moisture Fluctuations
Days 80 60 40 20
Moisture (%)
Good Drying
Conditions
Poor Drying
Conditions

7. The Effect of Relative Humidity
Relative Humidity, % 40 30 20 10
Equilibrium Moisture (%)
77° F
95° F

8. Hay Moisture Probe
Contacts

9. Accuracy of Various Hay Moisture Probes – 4th cutting Bermudagrass

10. Shinners, University of Wisconsin
Moisture distribution of mixed grass-legume round bales stored on the ground
% Moisture
Twine Wrapped
Net Wrapped
Moisture differences at 4 inches due to wrap appear to be greater with predominately alfalfa bales as compared with grass bales.
Wisconsin researchers noted little change in bale core nutrient profiles due to wrap.
This is due to low moisture (less than 20%) in the core of bales studied.
Change in nutrient composition of the outer portion of the bales tends to be higher with twine wrapping as compared to net wrapping.
(Reference: Shinners et al., 2002 ASAE International meeting, paper )
Shinners, University of Wisconsin

11. Shinners, University of Wisconsin
Moisture distribution of mixed grass-legume round bales stored on the ground vs. elevated
% Moisture
Twine Wrapped
On a Pallet
Moisture differences at 4 inches due to wrap appear to be greater with predominately alfalfa bales as compared with grass bales.
Wisconsin researchers noted little change in bale core nutrient profiles due to wrap.
This is due to low moisture (less than 20%) in the core of bales studied.
Change in nutrient composition of the outer portion of the bales tends to be higher with twine wrapping as compared to net wrapping.
(Reference: Shinners et al., 2002 ASAE International meeting, paper )
Shinners, University of Wisconsin

12. Every little bit helps!

13. If it has to be outside… Store bales with N/S orientation
Don’t store under trees
Make dense bales
Shed water better
Elevate the bales

14. Heat Damage to Crude Protein
DM Intake
Useable
Protein
Heat-Damaged
Protein
Protein
Heat

15. Bale at the Right Moisture
Ideal Range, 50-65% Moisture
70% 40%
Moisture
Potential for Spoilage or Toxicosis (Clostridial, Listeriosis)
Poor Fermentation
Rule of thumb:
bale when the forage is no longer wet enough to wring juice out of a handful.

16. The Effect of Rain on Tall Fescue Hay
No Rain
Rain Damage
Intake, % of b.w.
2.10
1.92
NDF, %
68.1
76.0
Digestibility, %
63.2
59.7
Turner et al., 2003

17. The Effect of Rainfall on DM Loss
Rainfall, in.
Scarbrough et al., 2005

18. Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass
DM Loss, %
76% Moisture, Not Significant.
Rainfall, in.
Scarbrough et al., 2005

19. Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass
NDF, %
76% Moisture, Not Significant.
Rainfall, in.
Scarbrough et al., 2005

20. Is the risk of rain damage overblown?
every day after 4 wk = ~0.5% points drop in TDN.
1 wk delay to avoid ½” rain = ~3.5% drop in TDN
A ½” rain = ~1.0% drop in TDN

21. Components of Curing Losses
Rainfall and leaching
Respiration

22. Conditioning Systems

23. “My Buddy, Ted” Increase hay-drying rates by 20-40% (~ 0.5 – 1 day)
DM Loss: Grasses (<3%) Legumes (7-10% +)
Breaks up clumps & distributes the crop over the entire area.
Increased sun
Fluffed for better air movement
Initial tedding: w/in 2-4 hrs (clumps break better)
Additional tedding? May be necessary for grass, probable for alfalfa

24. Hay Curing Management Conditioner? YES.
Wide or narrow swath? Wide as possible
When to mow? Early as possible
Ted it? YES, but only when damp and toward the end of when the dew is on.
Avoid tedding legumes when > 50% moisture
Moisture at raking?
35-40% for legumes
20-25% for grass/legume mixes
~<20% for bermudagrass
Moisture at baling?
Small square = 18%,
Round bales = 15%

25. Typical Hay Storage Losses
Twine
Net wrap
(% of dry weight)
Pole barn
2-5%
Hoop structure
Tarp
5-10%
5-8%
Stack pad,
covered stack
uncovered stack
15-40%
10-30%
Plastic wrap
N/A
Outside on ground,
well-drained
20-40%
poor drainage/shaded
30-60%
30-45%

26. Losses During Storage
Even when hay is baled at the target moisture (15% moisture for round bales; 18% for squares), the forage will go through a “sweat” for 2-3 wks.
Moisture is driven off, heat is given off, and DM dec.
A 1% decrease in moisture ≈ 1% decrease in DM
Moisture tends to equilibrate at 12% during storage
20% Moisture
12% Moisture
CO2
H2O +
1000 lbs DM
920 lbs DM

27. Bale Moisture Affects Bale Temp
Days 75
100
125
150
Temperature, °F
17% Moisture
25% Moisture
33% Moisture
Small Squares
Coblentz et al., Crop Sci.

28. HEAT Carbohydrates (sugars) Aspergillus Penicillium O2 + H2O CO2
Mold Spores
Aspergillus
Penicillium
O2 + H2O
CO2
Carbohydrates
(sugars)

29. Risk of Heat Damage and Bale Moisture

30. Bale Temperature & Fire Risk