Leaving hay to "sweat"

[Treecreeper]

A saying probably dating from when hay was made in a rick, was 'green will make but wet will spoil'.

 

[Pan mixer]

The mould start where the damp condenses ie. on top of the hay and a layer of salt prevents the damp. Also salt being hygroscopic draws the damp but how effectively I have no idea

It does work, I put two handfuls of table salt (all they had down Booker, per flat 8 if they probe over 16 when I stack them.

 

[d williams]

Brought our few in after a couple of days on the field.

Was baled ‘rite’ however don’t want any excuse for it to go mouldy.

View attachment 975246

Get them on pallets and they’ll be ok don’t leave them like that

 

[d williams]

Brought our few in after a couple of days on the field.

Was baled ‘rite’ however don’t want any excuse for it to go mouldy.

View attachment 975246

Get them on pallets and they’ll be ok don’t leave them like that

 

[Yale]

Get them on pallets and they’ll be ok don’t leave them like that

They’re on pallets.

 

[Devil's advocate]

We get about 23 inches of rain here, I make hay most of the summer on different types of grass, conservation areas and so forth.

I very rarely bale hay that hasn't been drizzled on at least and have some stuff that is too poor for the power stations at present that has been cut 5 weeks.

I usually leave my small bale hay (I only do about 4000) to stand for a week or two in 56's before stacking, I have learned what it is like to stack hay too quick, I use salt too if things are a little delicate moisture wise.

They seem fine like that, I am lucky to have some empty cattle yards though this time of the year. This was the picture this evening for example, just finished a field.

View attachment 975413

Dad used to use salt when he made dairy cow hay in 50's/70's. Shall try some again sometime, what salt do you use.

 

[Pan mixer]

Dad used to use salt when he made dairy cow hay in 50's/70's. Shall try some again sometime, what salt do you use.

Just table salt as I said above

 

[Devil's advocate]

Just table salt as I said above

Sorry my message was posted & then found another page to read.

Dad used to buy fine ground agricultural salt, it was popular in the 70's never rarely hear of it now.

 

[neilo]

Sorry my message was posted & then found another page to read.

Dad used to buy fine ground agricultural salt, it was popular in the 70's never rarely hear of it now.

You can buy Ag Salt in 600kg bags from most fertiliser merchants. I have bought it from Wynnstay mot years, for applying to beet ground, and occasionally for grass.

Salt is just salt, so I can’t see why you couldn’t use that for the same effect. About £120-130/t iirc.

 

[Cowmansam]

We get about 23 inches of rain here, I make hay most of the summer on different types of grass, conservation areas and so forth.

I very rarely bale hay that hasn't been drizzled on at least and have some stuff that is too poor for the power stations at present that has been cut 5 weeks.

I usually leave my small bale hay (I only do about 4000) to stand for a week or two in 56's before stacking, I have learned what it is like to stack hay too quick, I use salt too if things are a little delicate moisture wise.

They seem fine like that, I am lucky to have some empty cattle yards though this time of the year. This was the picture this evening for example, just finished a field.

View attachment 975413

If it’s cut 5 weeks surely your better rowing it up and burning it be no use to man or beast

 

[neilo]

If it’s cut 5 weeks surely your better rowing it up and burning it be no use to man or beast

Or bale it and use it for bedding. It’d be cheaper than straw, and still return the nutrients through muck.

 

[Nithsdale]

Hope you lot using salt have it clearly written on the label of ingredients for the stock to read

Also hope you sit out pepper, sauce and vinegar for them too!