How to Dry Square Bales of Hay

Farmers who raise livestock feed their animals dried hay. Hay is preserved for storage by drying. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) explains that, under normal conditions, hay is cut, crimped, raked and/or turned to reduce drying time and then baled for storage. This process, however, is entirely weather permitting and requires enough sun and dry conditions to bring the hay's moisture content to the ideal 15 percent--leaving 85 percent dry matter (DM). Small square bales will release additional moisture in storage.

Things You'll Need

  • Storage barn
  • Tarps
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Bale dry hay whenever possible. If it is not possible to bale dry hay (and in wetter climates, it may not be possible), small square bales will release enough moisture during storage to reach a level of 89 percent dry matter if they are stacked and stored correctly. There are organic acid treatments available to prevent excessive heating and browning of moist hay.

    • 2

      Protect the hay from the elements. You must have either a storage barn protected on at least three sides or enough tarps to cover your outdoor haystacks. Your storage barn should have easy access for stacking machinery. Hay stored outdoors must be kept off the ground to facilitate drainage. There are different ways to do this: Stack your bales on pallets, a layer of gravel, old tires or old telephone poles.

    • 3

      Construct rows of hay outside to run along side a hill so as not to catch water runoff. Rows should run north to south so both sides receive sun.

    • 4

      Place bales in rows, end-to-end. Set rows at least 12 inches apart to allow drainage and air circulation, which discourages vermin from nesting between them. Stacked bales must be interlocked (see References for suggested stacking methods).