Hay Storage and Loss Reduction

Hay that sits outside loses feed value from rain, snow and ground moisture. A few decisions about where and how you store it can save a surprising amount of the crop you worked to make.

Key points

Store hay on well-drained ground or a pad, not on bare soil.
Leave space between rows and avoid tree cover.
Barns protect best, but compare the cost with the hay you would save.
Check stored hay for heat, and call the fire department if a stack is steaming.
Feed the most weathered hay first and keep records.

Why does stored hay lose quality?

Hay can lose quality from rain on the bale surface, moisture wicking up from the ground, heating, mold and pests. Losses start at the surface and creep inward. Round bales stored outside are especially exposed because of their shape and ground contact.

How much you lose depends on climate, bale type, storage time and how you set them up. Ask your extension service for storage loss guidance in your region.

A 30-acre hay operation can lose a lot over a winter if bales sit on bare ground in a wet spot, and a small homestead stack can lose a good share of its hay for the same reason.

Where should you store hay?

Choose ground that is well drained and higher than the surrounding area. Avoid low spots, the base of a slope and places under trees where leaves and drips collect. A gravel pad, old pavement or a row of pallets or poles under the bales keeps them from wicking up water.

Keep hay away from buildings and fuel storage to reduce fire risk, and keep it where equipment can reach it in all weather. Check with your insurance agent about distance rules and coverage.

How do you stack or arrange round bales outside?

Set round bales in rows with the flat ends touching and some space between rows so air and light can reach them. Orient rows so water drains away rather than pooling at the base. Do not stack them tightly against each other on all sides, because that traps moisture.

Putting bales on a pad, on pallets or on poles helps. Bales on bare soil absorb moisture and rot on the bottom.

If you cannot build a pad, a few loads of gravel or crushed rock under the rows is a modest improvement over bare ground. Check with your NRCS office about drainage, runoff and any cost-share programs.

Well-drained pad or elevated base
Ends touching in a row, space between rows
Avoid tree cover and low spots
Face the row for drainage and sun

What about covers and barns?

Barns and sheds give the best protection, but they cost money and space. Tarps can help if they are tight, secured and not trapping moisture under them. A loose tarp can do more harm than good if it collects water and lets it sink in.

Compare the cost of building storage against the value of the hay you save. A cattle ranch with a lot of hay might find a pole barn pays back over time. Run the numbers with your accountant and lender.

How do you prevent heating and fire?

Hay baled too moist can heat and, in rare cases, catch fire. Test moisture before baling and let new hay cure in a ventilated place. Check stacks for heat by feel and smell. If you notice steam, a strong musty smell or a hot center, stay out of the stack and call your fire department.

Keep stored hay away from ignition sources. Follow fire safety guidance from NFPA and your insurer, and keep your fire department's phone number handy.

What can you do about rodents and pests?

Mice and rats nest in hay and damage bales. Keeping the surrounding area mowed and clear of trash reduces their cover. Remove old bales and spilled hay, which give rodents a home.

Cats, traps and good housekeeping help. If you use poison, read the label carefully and keep it away from livestock, pets and children, since label directions are the law.

Keep feed and grain separate from hay storage, and store hay away from fuel, chemicals and equipment. A tidy hay yard is also a safer one.

How should you plan to use stored hay?

Feed the oldest or most weathered hay first, and keep the best hay for animals with high needs, like lactating cows or growing animals. Mark lots with their cutting date and field so you know what you have.

Do a count each fall and compare with your winter need. Running short or carrying far too much both cost money, and a simple tally gives you a plan.

Share your tally with whoever helps feed. A clear plan for which stack to open first prevents the best hay from getting used early by mistake.

When to get help: Ask your extension office about storage losses for your climate, your insurance agent about hay storage coverage and fire distances, and your accountant or lender before building new storage.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

More in Hay, Forage & Livestock Equipment

← Making Quality Hay Hay Feeding Equipment →