Damp Hay

Bobl1958 · Jun 13, 2013

Just have a question in anticipation of troubles. I baled some brome yesterday that might be slightly damp. It felt dry but it was so humid yesterday I may have jumped the gun.
My question would be when I check moisture tonight in the bales I did yesterday, what would be acceptable in both big round, and small squares. If the small squares are a little on the damp side, and I don't really believe they will be, if I spread a little salt on each layer should I be alright, if they are less than say 20%? Just trying to get a feel. There is only 51 small squares, but it is such good brome that I hate to loose it. It will be for horses if it turns out OK. Thanks for any help or advice.

Tx Jim · Jun 14, 2013

I've checked hay with a moisture tester while baling @ 15% and re-check it the next day and get 25-30%.

Bobl1958 · Jun 14, 2013

Jim - that is pretty much exactly what happened. I read the directions on the meter and it said that the 2nd and 3rd days hay will sweat and it will read wetter. I was sure when I baled it that it was dry, by feel anyway, but when I bought a new meter yesterday and checked the bales they were 25% to 30%. The temp is around 92 to 95 degrees. I am going to leave it outside and see what happens I guess. The bales have been baled for 4 days now and they still smell fine, and don't seem to be getting hot. My probe had quit working and I hadn't made it to town to get another one. Thanks for the reply Jim.

randallinMo · Jun 14, 2013

I think you'll be fine. The temperature of the bales is the most critical issue at this point. 92-95 degrees 3 days later is perfectly normal. That's probably not a lot greater than the ambient outside temperature was the day you baled it. Keep checking the temperature, if it isn't rising appreciably, you're home free. 'Wildest thing I ever saw one time was a field of baled round bales sitting in the field, with 3 of them on fire! It was unreal.

Tx Jim · Jun 15, 2013

(quoted from post at 09:53:15 06/14/13) 'Wildest thing I ever saw one time was a field of baled round bales sitting in the field, with 3 of them on fire! It was unreal.

I wonder what moisture % the burning bales were baled at? Back it the 80's before I had a moisture tester I baled some wheat hay that was cut in the boot stage that laid on the ground for 10 days.The wheat rattled and seemed dry so I baled it. 2 months later I drove by the hay stack lot and smelled a "sweet smell". I put my hand in the bale and it was still warm and brown stuff resembling molasses stuck to my hand but no fires. The cows loved it and ate every stem.

Damp Hay

Bobl1958

Well-known Member

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

Bobl1958

Well-known Member

randallinMo

Member

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

Similar threads