How to prevent hay barn fire?

[topground]

Left to his own devices contractor has baled 60 round bales a day earlier than I would have liked. How long would they need to be left in the field to eliminate spontaneous combustion risk or how much a risk will there be if they are stacked 2 or 3 high under cover?

 

[bumkin]

Left to his own devices contractor has baled 60 round bales a day earlier than I would have liked. How long would they need to be left in the field to eliminate spontaneous combustion risk or how much a risk will there be if they are stacked 2 or 3 high under cover?

I would put them in stooks for a while and let them sweat out

 

[Yale]

Not relevant however would be interesting to have some hay wrapped with film not net like on these new balers with the ends open and just leave them out.

Otherwise I’ve stacked some on pallets in the shed two high in the past.

They weren’t really ready however weather was breaking and could have done with another day.

One thing I’d say is pile loose straw on the top one to take the moisture as the top of the bale will go mouldy otherwise.

 

[spin cycle]

you could leave them out month or more nae bother......as long as dry when you bring them in

 

[kiwi pom]

Leave them outside and see what happens, rounds wont take much harm.

 

[Macsky]

Not relevant however would be interesting to have some hay wrapped with film not net like on these new balers with the ends open and just leave them out.

Otherwise I’ve stacked some on pallets in the shed two high in the past.

They weren’t really ready however weather was breaking and could have done with another day.

One thing I’d say is pile loose straw on the top one to take the moisture as the top of the bale will go mouldy otherwise.

I’m not sure the film works that way, I’m sure I’ve asked that question before and was told it really needs wrapped shortly after baling or it starts to come apart.

 

[Little squeak]

This is a useful link on hay combustion https://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/newsroom/news/recommended-hay-storage/ offer to store the bales in the contractors barn it may concentrate his mind on listening, I feel your pain and now have my own round baler.

 

[robs1]

Just leave them outside they wont take any rain, to be fair grass is pretty old now and unlikely to fire up.

 

[Zippy768]

Moisture probe and test a few? Might had been fit to bale....... unless he started in the AM

 

[Werzle]

Left to his own devices contractor has baled 60 round bales a day earlier than I would have liked. How long would they need to be left in the field to eliminate spontaneous combustion risk or how much a risk will there be if they are stacked 2 or 3 high under cover?

Put them in singles in a shed or leave them out for a good fortnight, its surprising how even well made hay starts to really smell 7-10days after being stacked. Its not worth the barn fire. Alot of hay seems to have been baled a day early around here, the ground under the swathes is holding alot of moisture which is going to catch a few out. Forcast is good next week so i cannot understand the rush.

 

[David.]

Our hay is coming back a lot at night, it's a recipe for the impatient to bale a day too soon...

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

Minimum would be 6 weeks. That's the danger period. By then if any have caramelized it will be obvious as well.

 

[ollie989898]

I was always told to leave the bales out in the field for a week if there were any doubts, so that even if they begin to heat individually they can't concentrate any heat. If the weather is forecast to be ok can you leave them out or stacked in pairs out of the way and in the open?

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

A week is no where near long enough

 

[Deerefarmer]

Should have applied propionic acid if it was questionable

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

Or not baled it. A contractor should know better.

 

[tw15]

Put a length of steel pole in some and pull it out after a day or so if hot to touch leave them outside . Be careful it can get very hot . Rounds outside for a few weeks won't come to much harm better than a shed fire . Cattle go mad for caramelised hay i have found . As long as you don't stack them up tight you will most likely be ok its when the heat can't get out is when the fire risk shoots up .

 

[spin cycle]

i always considered round bales as mini stooks

i'm sure there are posters on here who swear by packing hay in barns tight to sorta cook itself

salt was another one

 

[Barleycorn]

My father always said that more hay was spoilt in good weather than changeable, my blokes are champing at the bit to bale a heavy crop cut on Wednesday / Thursday, going to hide the PTO shaft off the baler!!

 

[Fendt516profi]

I’m not sure the film works that way, I’m sure I’ve asked that question before and was told it really needs wrapped shortly after baling or it starts to come apart.

I think McHale may be doing something where you can put net on first to hold the bale together then cover them with a couple of layers of film