how long do hay bales last outside

into dry storage -- to be 'safe from storage spoilage'. If pos- sible, elevate bales by stacking on old tires, shipping pallets or railroad ties. This includes protein, fiber, vitamins, sugars, and minerals. A tedder and rake is often the same piece of equipment. In fact, after just a few months, the losses will start, and within a year it could lose 5% of its value. Add festive curb appeal to your front yard, assemble cheap sectional seating in your backyard, or even grow a pint-size gardenthe possibilities with hay bales are seemingly endless. Table 1. Yes, hay bales can be used instead of straw bales for gardening, although there are some differences to take into consideration. Spruce, pine, and fir are popular choices for the traditionalist, while artificial trees are gaining a lot of favor with those looking to have their tree up for longer periods of time. Dec 6, 2018 (Edited) Wow. May species will lose their dry matter by up to 15% until feeding. Additionally, you should check in on them periodically to inspect for any signs of mold, rot, or insects. First, make sure that all items are clean and dry before you store them. Virginia Horse Center quarantine released, Wisconsin horse positive for West Nile virus. 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. Materials you can use to help insulate hay from wet soil or concrete and provide some ventilation include telephone poles, wooden pallets and tires. Red tulle, a couple of potted evergreens, and maybe even a few mock presents would turn these bales into a rustic and cheery Christmas display. Keep It Off The Ground. Because feed changes upset some animals' digestive systems, it's advisable to put up enough of the same type of hay to last a season. Your stored hay might develop mold, especially if you live in a colder climate where you close your barn in the winter season. A more significant nutritional loss in hay is beta-carotene, which is being lost at the rate of about 10% every month, especially if there is exposure to direct sunlight. Cutting the hay too late will result in lower nutritive content, because the plant has begun focusing on seed production. Owners with 4-7 horses get 4-7 more days out of a bale when using a net. But having a place to store your hay bales inside is not always feasible. Different horses have different nutritional needs, so you might have to buy various types of hay to optimize their diets. Q:Due to the drought I was unable to find Bermuda square bales last year and had to purchase round bales. Avoiding Dehydration in Sport Horses During Summer, LAINEY - Jenny/Gray/Burro - NonRiding Companion. Different companies use different nomenclature. To harvest quality dry hay, you need several consecutive days of favorable weather. This article first appeared in EQUUS issue 431. Knot strength runs from 110 to 500, with the smaller numbers perfect for lighter bales of hay. Read on for more tips on how to store your hay bales outside. When it's wetter during early summer, it's challenging to harvest and preserve quality forage from the first cutting. Decorative Straw Bales: 8 Hay Bale Decorating Ideas - Bob Vila Bales Stored Outside and Unprotected Research has shown that storage losses in large round bales stored outside and unprotected can be far greater than hay producers realize. Store your hay under shelter or cover it with a tarp sheet to protect it from the rain. 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In a haybale, there are typically 12 to 14 flakes which means that one haybale will last between 3 and 5 days for the average hay-fed horse. You can also spray-paint the hay bales and attach lighted accents or large silk flowers to them. And stack new hay behind older bales so you can feed the older hay first. Taking these additional steps will help ensure that your decorations are in good condition when it comes time to pull them out again. While this isn't always possible, it is the best way to keep your hay intact. Hay storage options | UGA Forage Extension Team The more space, the better. Double the normal numbers of days without a net. And leave a little bit of space between each hay bale. Putting the hay bales directly onto the ground will cause the hay to soak up the moisture from the ground. Why is beta-carotene essential for horses? Stay at the top of the stack to be notified about sales and special offers. If youre planning on using them outside, be sure to cover them with a tarpaulin when it rains to prevent saturation. I don't see why you can't find round bales that have been stored inside. Yes, you can put lights on hay bales. To reduce losses, ensure that the storage area is well-drained. This area of Texas goes through frequent drought and rain cycles. Find out how long you can store hay, grains, and feed. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Apr 14, 2010 There are no circumstances under which I'd buy round bales that have been stored outside for my horses to eat. Simply find a place close to where your animals will be spending their time, store your bales in an organized way, cover the bales carefully, and always make sure there is plenty of room for circulation. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Equine Nutrition FAQ Series Sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. Shake the container for one minute and if the salt remains dry, it is ready to bale. Talk about curb appeal, the hay bale in front of this entryway leads guests into the home in such an inviting way. Keep the base dry. Step 1: Cover the area you are going to place your hay on with wooden pallets. In those, bales are easier to spoil. So get a good tarp and put it over the top. Bales stored on damp soil ab- sorb moisture that causes subsequent damage. This creates a musty odor, and the hay may develop mold, especially in the flakes that are in direct contact with the floor. It would appear I am not going to use these at the rate I had anticipated. Offering Arizona's largest supply of quality feed. They store well when flat ends are butted end-to-end in long rows. A hay preservative can be applied during curing to reduce the amount of time it takes before you bale. For safety, be sure to use large bales and secure them to each other and the ground using sturdy stakes. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Sky-high machinery and fuel costs and the lack of affordable haying-crew labor is driving up the cost of putting up hay. Use hay bales as a seat. If fully outdoors, cover stacks of square bales (large or small) with tarps, securing the tarps with strong tie-downs. Hay stacked on bare ground or concrete wicks moisture up through the bottom tiers, ruining the hay. Instead, move it to your barn for storage. Straw bale prices can vary greatly depending on the source, your location, and more. How to Condition Straw Bales - PreparednessMama Yes, you can store Christmas lights outside like any other outdoor decorations. No, hay bales and straw bales are not the same. The gravel will then protect the hay bales from any moisture in the ground and will elevate them. Hay growers need to bale it at. Sue Weaver lives in the Arkansas Ozarks with her husband and a fine array of animal friends including goats, sheep, horses, chickens, a donkey, a llama and a pet razorback hog. If you want to take a straw bale planter to the next level, you can actually plant an entire garden within straw bales. Decorative Straw Bale Curb Appeal Photo: istockphoto.com Talk about curb appeal, the hay bale in front of this entryway leads guests into the home in such an inviting way. When you choose to store bales outside regardless, make sure to arrange a proper area made up of crushed stones to protect the bottom parts. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club. If you're planning on using them outside, be sure to cover them with a tarpaulin when it rains to prevent saturation. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. [V] Question: how long does silage last? Ive seen several different feed-bag dating methods; for example 5MAR09 for 2015 March 9, 2015, or the Julian date 2016080, which is the 80th day of 2016 (or March 21). Once the soil is amended, the bales are ready to be planted. However, it is important to note that hay bales may have higher levels of weeds and weed seeds, which can be tough to manage in a garden setting. Fall is, of course, the most popular time of year for decorating with hay bales. For large outdoor events such as graduation parties, baby showers, or even weddings and receptions, straw bales are a cost-effective way to instantly add more chairs. Hay is composed of grasses, legumes, and other herbaceous plant materials that are cut, dried, and then baled, while straw is typically composed of the stalks and stalks of grains such as oats, wheat, and barley that have been harvested and then baled. Check tarps on a regular basis to make sure theyre securely tied down. If you decide to stack large bales, arrange them the same way, but only if you have a tractor capable of lifting the bales. Let the following ideas inspire your next hay bale DIY project. Also, keep at least 3 feet distance between bale rows for good air circulation. It does not need to be a lot of space, maybe a few inches. Do hay bales last forever? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. The higher the fat content of a feed the more at risk it is of going rancid. Keep it Tight; Store Hay Right | UNL Beef Storing them in a barn is the best option because it works as a shelter from bad weather, animals, and other conditions. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). #1 I have property near College Station, TX (central Texas). residual moisture and heat can dissipate, the highest storage temperatures is 2. Because large round and large rectangular bales are more dense ( and dissipate moisture and heat more slowly), the upper limit of safe baling / storage moisture for large round bales is about 18% moisture; and for large rectangular bales, about 16 % moisture. Hay loses about 10% of its beta-carotene per month, so year-old hay is not a good source of this important fat soluble vitamin. This will make it easier to get hay bales from the top, but also helps with moisture, as we will discuss in the next section. Finally, wrap fragile items such as trees, ornaments, or garlands separately in plastic and store them in plastic bins or tubs to keep dust and pests out. This means the bottom row should have the most hay bales. The tarp also protects the hay bales from the sun. Other common colors associated with Christmas season include white, gold, and silver. Readers ask: How To Store Rabbit Hay? - Rabbits Keep your bales in a dry space where moisture or direct sunlight will not reach it. If you decided to keep your bales in a barn, place them over old hay or straw so that they do not sweat or absorb moisture from other surfaces. A more intimate option is to create a temporary straw bale sofa that you can enjoy all season long (see photo at the top of the page). SLC Marketing Inc also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites.

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