Do Hay Bales Last Forever?

Do hay bales last forever? The good news is that

if you manage your stores properly, your bales can last almost indefinitely

. Storing them in a barn is the best option because it works as a shelter from bad weather, animals, and other conditions. This does not always apply to climates with higher levels of humidity.

How long do hay bales last?

How long can you keep hay stored?

Hay stored undercover can maintain its quality for more than 12 months, but hay stored outdoors without cover will show significant reductions in quality, dry matter and nutrients over time. Hay can typically be stored outdoors and uncovered for

up to three months, with a maximum of six months

.

Does hay degrade over time?

How long does it take for hay to expire?

Hay is a natural product that

doesn’t expire in the traditional sense of the term

. When stored in the proper conditions, hay will retain its nutritional value for many months.

Is 10 year old hay still good?

If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years

. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.

Can old hay make horses sick?

Moldy hay can kill a horse

. It’s a cause of colic that can be fatal, and some types of mold are toxic to horses. And inhaled mold spores enter horses’ respiratory systems when they eat, causing heaves or other chronic respiratory diseases.

How do you store hay long term?

1. Some people like to use wooden pallets. …
2. Add plastic covering inside them, and then place the hay on top.
3. Not only will you have protection from the pallets, but also the protective plastic covering that you have used to line the bottom of those pallets.

How do you preserve hay bales?

Store hay inside

“In most cases, it is recommended to elevate bales using gravel, which can reduce DM losses to 3-15%. The best option for storage is

covering hay bales with tarps

, which will help to prevent losses on hay stored outside.”

Does hay lose nutrients over time?

A:

Hay begins to lose its nutritional value at the time of cutting and continues to lose nutrients both while drying in the field and while in storage

. The nutrients most affected by harvesting and storing are vitamins. Conversely, the protein and mineral content of hay is quite stable.

How long does it take for hay straw to decompose?

The Lemhi straw in the bags decomposed 40% in

3 months

. The University of Idaho No. 59- 10320 straw decomposed 49% in 3 months. Nitro- gen fertilization did not influence the decomposi- tion rate in either case.

Will cows eat old hay?

Cattle aren’t as sensitive to moldy hay

, but certain molds can result in mycotic abortions or aspergillosis. 3. Moldy hay also puts ranchers at risk. Mold spores can cause “farmer’s lung,” which results in the fungus growing in the lung tissue if it has been inhaled.

Can horses eat 2 year old hay?

Before you throw away hay that’s a year or two old, do some research.

It might actually be completely fine to feed to your horse

. You’ll have to thoroughly check it over, but it’s not as bad as you might think. Surprisingly, old hay can hold onto its value fairly well if stored correctly.

How can you tell how old hay is?

Signs that your horse hay may be bad include

a lack of color or dried-out appearance, a moldy smell, excessive dust, visible mold, or excessive heat towards the center of the hay bale

. Because hay provides your horse with so many essential nutrients, you must provide your horse with the best quality hay available.

How do you store hay without a barn?

The cheapest and most effective way to protect your hay without a barn is by

using a simple system of a tarpaulin and pallets

. Stack wooden pallets on the ground to keep the hay off the damp floor, then stack the hay on top of the pallets and cover the whole thing with a solid, heavy-duty tarpaulin.

How do I know if my hay has mold?

Look for Mold

Cut open a bale of hay and separate the flakes. Look for the presence of mold in any of the flakes.

Moldy hay generally presents as darker areas which are grey or black

. If you find mold, refuse the bale – mold indicates that the hay was baled when it was too wet.

Does hay get moldy?

Mold and bacteria will grow on hay (without preservative added) at moisture levels above 14% to 15%

. The mold growth produces heat, carbon dioxide and water, which further damages the hay. Moldy hay can result in dry matter and nutrient loss and produce spores and dust.

Will moldy hay hurt a horse?

Quick facts.

Don’t feed moldy hay to horses

. Most moldy hay problems are from mold spores, which can produce respiratory disease in horses. Many of the common mold toxins develop in the field during a delayed harvest.

How do you store hay so it doesn’t mold?

Can you leave hay bales outside?

If hay is to be stored outside,

it is desirable to locate the storage site close to the feeding area because bales become more difficult to handle as they weather

. It is easier to move them a greater distance when they are new and tightly wrapped. Well-drained upland storage sites are best.

How do you keep hay bales from falling apart?

If you decide to bale hay in large bales,

wrap them with net wrap or plastic twine

to reduce bale sag and help maintain bale shape. Plastic twine resists weathering, insects and rodents better than natural-fiber twines. Twine should be snug and spaced 6 to 10 inches apart.

How long can you store straw?

How long do straw bales last outside?

If you keep your bales out of the elements, especially moisture, they can last for years

. However, if allowed to absorb moisture and heat, as would happen with a straw bale garden or planter, for example, hay bales will begin to break down and only last for one growing season.

Can you store hay in a container?

We found many positive aspects associated with storing hay or other perishable items in cargo containers. Some pros pertained to the containers themselves:

They’re nearly airtight and waterproof

. They’re wind resistant.

How do farmers store hay?

Does old hay have any nutritional value?

One concern about storing hay for a long time is its nutritional value. The longer it stays in a barn, the more nutrition it loses. In fact, after just a few months, the losses will start, and

within a year it could lose 5% of its value

. This includes protein, fiber, vitamins, sugars, and minerals.

How do you keep hay fresh?

Storing your hay in a dry place

will help to prevent mold from growing on your small pet food and will keep you from having to replace hay unnecessarily. It is advised to leave hay in a place like a closet or in a plastic bin which will protect it from wetness.

What can you use old hay for?

Spoiled hay has the added benefit of breaking down slowly over the summer and adding organic matter to the soil. It can also be used for

winter mulch to cover tender plants and protect them from the effects of cold winds or freezing temperatures

.

Does straw deteriorate?

Straw will decompose like any other organic material but they’ll decompose a lot slower

. As straw rots, it releases nutrients, feeding the plants growing in it. Straw actually makes your garden better.

Does hay disintegrate?

Is straw good for the soil?

What do farmers do with moldy hay?

If your moldy hay is still wrapped in its wire or plastic netting, consider

using this bale as a planter

. It would be best to use transplants and that your hay bale is composting. Place your moldy bale where you’d like and remove hay from the spots where you’ll be planting your transplants.

Is grinding hay worth it?

Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?

In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall,

you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it

.

Do horses need hay if they have grass?

We know

horses need to eat either grass or hay

. When horses eat grass, you will need to keep an eye on their condition and make sure that they are neither eating too much nor too little. Horses can overeat grass, especially if the pasture is lush, but it is also easy to let a horse get too fat from eating hay.

Is it OK to feed horses fresh cut hay?

“

If hay is baled with a low moisture content, less than 12%, it can be fed right away, and horses shouldn’t have any problem with it

,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph. D., longtime nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Why do horses soak their hay?

By wetting his hay before he eats it, he

reduces the forage’s scratchiness, making it more like grass again – the better to slide down a sore or inflamed throat

. Soaking the hay also douses excess dust, which may bother a horse with heaves or other respiratory distress.