Hay moisture should always be closely regulated, according to knowledgeable hay farmers. Dry grass that receives insufficient moisture deteriorates and loses nutrients, and animals find excess wetness unpleasant in addition to decaying hay. Additionally, closed straws expand thermally when stored, which might result in burns. Does significant harm. (hay moisture)
Sowing involves evaluating grass wetness, which is a crucial step.
In light of this, the following query is appropriate: “What moisture content for grass?” How dry ought the hay to be? This question’s response is based on various variables—the kind of feed you use for your hay. And the way you link it.
Small Square Hay Bales
The best moisture-resistant hay bale shapes are often the little square cubes. Based on studies mentioned on the website for Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Small cubes are okay and can have between 18 and 20 percent moisture.
Partially due to the narrow portion. It typically weighs less and is less dense than a huge straw bale, such as one that is 5.5 cubic feet and 60 pounds or less. Compared to a big bale, which weighs 1,800 pounds and has 1,800 pounds of material covering an area of 112 cubic feet, a little hay bale (605.5 = 10.9090) has less than 11 pounds of material per cubic foot. About equal to a tiny square in size.
The major problem with working with little cubes is that it takes longer to process several small cubes than it does to create a single large cube. The smaller square baler, therefore, replicates the outcomes of the bigger square baler to refer back to the preceding example. Rolling thirty dice requires stopping the press thirty times, which causes the second unit to halt once.
Large Square Hay Bales
Large square cubes have substantially lower moisture resistance since they are denser than tiny square ones. Large square cubes may often have a moisture content of 12 to 16 percent, with 12 percent being preferable for long-term storage and hot conditions.
Despite the risk of drying out during storage or transportation, cubes with very low moisture resistance have the following benefits: (hay moisture)
As was already indicated, employing a large square baler is frequently quicker and more practical than doing so with a smaller one.
For easy transport, larger cubes can be loaded on a level surface. Cubes are less dense than small squares. Larger cubes are therefore more effective per pound of available area. Additionally, it is simpler to move and arrange than nodules.
For farmers who want to transport a lot of hay over a long distance. Usually, large cubes are the best choice.
Round Hay Bales
Roller bales are produced from straw using several current balers. These cubes won’t have the conventional compact square form, but their density will differ based on their total size. The 15% nodule moisture resistance was mostly constant.
These crops are frequently simpler for a single farmer to efficiently maintain. However, compared to the other two types of hay, long-distance transportation is more challenging.
The Consequences of High Moisture Content in Hay Bales
A hay bale goes through a process of thermal expansion when the %MC is too high, which causes the moisture within to try to escape and causes the bale to heat up. (hay moisture)
During this process, moisture that is trapped in the refrigerator might encourage the growth of mold and germs. After all, employing yogurt’s nutritional content to promote development would simply remove the animal’s edible nutrients. As these little animals develop, the grass will, at the very least warm. Unless the clot spontaneously ignites owing to pressure and heat.
The danger increases as the moisture level of the hay rises.