Absorb Moisture with Salt. One way to help prevent mold on hay is to sprinkle rock salt over a tarp or on the floor of your storage shed or hay loft before you place the hay on it. If you live in a damp climate, also try sprinkling rock salt (about 1 cup per six bales) between each layer of bales to help absorb moisture.

Check Bale Temperature in Hot Weather. The higher the moisture level in hay, the hotter it gets and the longer it takes to cool. Hay fires may occur six weeks or longer after baling. In a small bale, the temperature of "hot" hay will usually peak at about 125 degrees within three to seven days, but in big bales  or a large, tight stack the temperature may build up over a longer time and become even hotter. With a small blae, you can easily feel between the flakes with your hands if you suspect the hay is heating. With a large bale, put a candy thermometer into a length of metal pipe and insert it into the bale, checking it 10 or 15 minutes later. If the temperature is over 140 degrees, check it in a few hours to see if it's gone up or down. The temperatures will usually drop back to safe levels (below 140) within 15 to 60 days, depending on the size and density of the bale or stack, as well as on air temperature and humidity. If it goes up to 180 degrees, combustion ahs already begun or is about to begin.

Alfalfa snap Test: A highter leaf-to-stem ratio in alfalfa hay means it's easier to digest, tastes better, adn contains more nutrients. To check the quality of alfalfa hay, bend a handful of it. If the stems bend very easily, the fiber content is relatively low and the hay will be more nutritious. As the alfalfa matures, it loses nutrients and its stems become woodier, snapping like twigs.

To remove baling strings without a knife, grab a string off one corner and try working it off. Once you get it off, you should be able to get the other one off or the bale will break open. With a really tight bale, push a piece of baling twine  under one of the bale strings to use as a friction "saw". Pulling the twine rapidly back and forth in the same spot will quickly cut the bale string in two.

~ Mandy

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