Over one-fourth of your hay’s nutrients can be lost due to weathering between now and feeding next winter. To minimize these losses, begin by making dense, evenly formed bales or stacks. They will shed water better and sag less than a soft core or less dense package. Use net wrap or plastic twine spaced no more than four inches apart on round bales to maintain bale shape and provide a smooth surface that encourages water runoff.
Store hay on an elevated, well-drained site so it won’t soak up moisture from wet soils or standing water. Especially avoid terrace valleys. Also avoid fences or tree lines that cause snow to drift onto hay or that prevent wind and sunshine from drying off wet bales.
Often our biggest mistake is placing bales so water that runs off of one bale ends up soaking into an adjacent bale. Never stack round bales during the rainy season unless they are covered or unless they will be fed soon. And avoid placing bales in a row with the twine ends touching one another.
Instead, it is best to place round bales or stacks so there is about one foot of air space on all sides for good ventilation. Round bales also store well when flat ends are butted end-to-end in a cigar-like shape. Orient these rows north and south so prevailing winds will not cause snow drifts and so both sides of the row can receive sunlight for drying.
Follow these guidelines and you will lower your storage losses, increase feed quality, and improve animal performance. Dr. Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist provides the information used in this week’s column.
Announcement: Starting 8:00 a.m. July 7, the Platte County Extension Office will be temporarily located at Ag Park in Columbus. This will allow the staff to help conduct the 2008 Platte County Fair. We are located in the Administration Building and are able to assist with any issues that come up. Please contact us at Ag Park, or call our regular office number and the recording will reflect the phone number we will use at Ag Park during fair week. Starting July 14, 1:00 p.m. we’ll be back in the Courthouse Office.
For more information or assistance, please contact Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Extension in Platte County. Phone: 402-563-4901 or e-mail AVYHNALEK2@unl.edu .
