Sun on damp bales?

Hay hay hay · Jul 23, 2016

I have about 30 square bales that are a little damp, heavy clover or shady spots in the field. Had to bale due to rain forcast.

Anyway, the bales are on edge, cut side up,air space between bales, on a 20 ft wagon in an open air shed. Lots of air space.

Question: Would backing the wagon out in the sun during the day help or hurt drying out the bales? or, are they better in the shade of the shed?

NY 986 · Jul 23, 2016

It will not hurt. Having said that there are no guarantees it will dry the hay to the point of heading off molding or mildew. I've heard of old timers sprinkling rock salt on the damp hay to act as a drying agent. You will most likely lose a little shipping weight but that is better than having moldy hay.

Ken Macfarlane · Jul 23, 2016

Outside is better, if they are baled tight they probably will dust. If they are fairly loose they tend to dry quite well.

David G · Jul 23, 2016

Salt them

Dune Country · Jul 23, 2016

its not so much the sun but the air movement that will help and yes salt them.

farmerwithmutt · Jul 23, 2016

Now I know I'm getting old your remark about old timers using salt but I used loose or feed salt better spreading

Janicholson · Jul 23, 2016

Thinking outside the box, what would happen if you stuck a well point or slotted plastic pipe into the bale and pumped in air from a vacuum cleaner? Jim

David G · Jul 23, 2016

That is really outside the box, well beyond what I would be wiling to do. You could boil the water out of the bale if the whole thing was in a vacuum.

mtny · Jul 23, 2016

Salt em

CDN 400 · Jul 23, 2016

Geez for only 30 bales take em back to the field cut the strings off let them dry out and rebale them. 30 bales ain't worth losing a barn over!

Bill VA · Jul 23, 2016

In addition to the wetish bales, I'd be concerned about stacking them on a trailer - not that it's a bad idea as it gets the bales out where air can circulate and the sun can force some evaporation. My concern with the wagon is the wood on the wagon deck wicking moisture and also sealing the bottom of the bale. I had a few bales that set on a wagon one time and where they sweat (cut side up) they molded. I would suggest setting the bales cut side up on the wagon, only setting on a pallet. Better air circulation and less wood to hay surface area.

But as was also mentioned, if possible, cut the strings, windrow and rebale after further drying.

Good luck,
Bill

David G · Jul 23, 2016

It works good to salt the deck before stacking if they are wet.

Ken Macfarlane · Jul 23, 2016

Just a follow up - salting will not solve the issue but will help get cows to eat dusty hay. The salt can't get evenly into the layers and flakes of baled hay.

jacksun65 · Jul 23, 2016

I have salted many a bale one time used 50lbs for 400 bales, Never had one burn and no mold.

K Effective · Jul 23, 2016

Yes, out in the sun, spread the bales apart as much as possible. IF I have to roll the wagon into the barn, I set up a box fan blowing across the bales. Nice breeze overnight will do wonders, then flip them the next day. You may not save them all, but some will be better off.

We part-time farmers seem to have more scheduling issues making hay when the sun shines, AND when your boss will let you!

showcrop · Jul 24, 2016

Well, HayHayHay, now you have ruined your reputation but good! You got a bunch of guys thinking that you baled green grass, LOL.

Texasmark1 · Jul 24, 2016

I'd stack wide side down with stems out on both sides far enough to get circulation, with the wagon positioned so that the prevailing wind can blow through the spaces between bales. Stems do the wicking and this way you have wicking out both sides and minimum wicking surface sitting on the wagon and blocking circulation. Never salted hay so can't respond to that.

J.Wondergem · Jul 24, 2016

My Dad would salt hay that was heavy, or tough. We'd spread feed salt by the bag on it, and had good hay that Winter. I think the salt draws the moisture out, and adds flavor to the hay.

Sun on damp bales?

Hay hay hay

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NY 986

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Ken Macfarlane

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David G

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Dune Country

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farmerwithmutt

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Janicholson

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David G

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mtny

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CDN 400

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Bill VA

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David G

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Ken Macfarlane

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