Hay Storage Systems Southeast Hay Convention John W. Worley.

Hay Storage SystemsHay Storage Systems

Southeast Hay ConventionSoutheast Hay ConventionJohn W. WorleyJohn W. Worley

StorageStorage5-45% loss5-45% loss

HarvestingHarvesting7-15% loss 7-15% loss

FeedingFeeding10-30% loss10-30% loss

Field curingField curing10-25% loss10-25% loss

It’s not unusual to see total It’s not unusual to see total losses of 70% or greaterlosses of 70% or greater

LOSS LOSS ACCUMULATES ACCUMULATES

WITH EACH STEPWITH EACH STEP

Slide courtesy of Slide courtesy of Dennis HancockDennis Hancock

Storage AlternativesStorage Alternatives

CuringCuring– Field DryField Dry– BaleageBaleage

PackagingPackaging– Round BalesRound Bales

TwineTwine

Bale WrapBale Wrap

– Square BalesSquare BalesSmallSmall

LargeLarge

AlternativesAlternatives

StorageStorage– Square Bales - BarnSquare Bales - Barn– Round BalesRound Bales

FieldField

TarpTarp

BarnBarn

BaleageBaleage

Greater control over harvesting timeGreater control over harvesting timeExcellent quality if moisture level Excellent quality if moisture level right and no leaksright and no leaksReduces Nitrate LevelsReduces Nitrate Levels

BaleageBaleage

Costs moreCosts more

Can get spoilage if ensiling isn’t Can get spoilage if ensiling isn’t successfulsuccessful

Disposal of PlasticDisposal of Plastic

Square vs. Round BalesSquare vs. Round Bales

Twine vs. Hay WrapTwine vs. Hay Wrap

Storage Weathered DMMethod Depth Loss (in.) (%)

Twine 4.4 18.2Netwrap 2.1 10.6Solid plastic 0.6 3.6Shed <0.5 5.7

Hay Storage Research(Kentucky)


Hay Storage – Preserving QualityHay Storage – Preserving Quality

Why build it?Why build it?

How to build itHow to build it

How to use itHow to use it

Hay BarnHay Barn

Best choice for long-term storageBest choice for long-term storage

Hay BarnHay BarnEnclosed sides – Enclosed sides – – Better Protection Better Protection

(sun and rain)(sun and rain)– Costs about twice Costs about twice

as muchas much– Ventilation Ventilation – High-end hay High-end hay

storagestorage

TarpTarp

Low-cost Low-cost alternativealternative

More LaborMore Labor

Decreased losses Decreased losses in case of firein case of fire

UncoveredUncovered

Lowest Cost - Greatest Losses - Lowest Cost - Greatest Losses - Poorest QualityPoorest Quality

Tarped StacksHay ShedsHoop Structures

Storage Options

$1.50 – 2.50

$2.00 – 3.00

$3.50+


Bale Storage ComparisonsBale Storage Comparisons

$0.75 + 30-70% Loss

$3.50 + 5-10% Loss

$1.50 + 20-40% Loss

$5.00 + 5-10% Loss

$3.50 + 4-7% Loss

Slide courtesy Slide courtesy of Dennis of Dennis HancockHancock

Cost of Owning a BuildingCost of Owning a Building

50 by 100 ft building at $5.00/ square foot 50 by 100 ft building at $5.00/ square foot ($25,000) (Roof only)($25,000) (Roof only)– DepreciationDepreciation $1250 $1250– Interest $1000Interest $1000– Tax & Ins. $750Tax & Ins. $750– Annual RepairsAnnual Repairs $125 $125

Total Annual Cost $3125Total Annual Cost $3125

Benefits of Covered StorageBenefits of Covered Storage

Reduced Dry Matter LossReduced Dry Matter Loss

Improved Nutritional ValueImproved Nutritional Value

Reduced animal refusalReduced animal refusal

Barn can be used for other things when Barn can be used for other things when not used for hay (equipment storage)not used for hay (equipment storage)

Dry Matter Losses (%)Dry Matter Losses (%)

Study Ground Stored

Elevated on Pallets

Elevated & Tarped

Tarped Only

Barn Stored

1 65 38 14 na 4

2 50 32 14 na 4

3 30 na na 10 0

Size of Bale Affects LossesSize of Bale Affects Losses

Outer 4 to 6 inches is lostOuter 4 to 6 inches is lost

Higher percentage of a small baleHigher percentage of a small bale

Dry Matter Losses (%) As Dry Matter Losses (%) As Affected by Bale SizeAffected by Bale Size

BaleDiam.(ft.)

GroundStored

Elevatedon

Pallets

Elevated&

Wrapped

BarnStored

4 32.4 26.2 14.6 4

5 23.8 17.4 11.4 4

6 19.6 13.4 10.0 4

Digestibility and Palatability Also Digestibility and Palatability Also AffectedAffected

Nutritional LossesNutritional LossesStart with 1,000-lb bale at 15% moistureStart with 1,000-lb bale at 15% moisture

850 lb DM before storage

Ground Stored

Elev. on Pallets

Elev. & Tarped

Barn Stored

DM Loss 65 38 14 4

Digestibility (%)

45

49 52 54

Digestible Matter After

Storage

172 258 380 441

Digestible Matter After StorageDigestible Matter After Storage(1,000-lb Bale)(1,000-lb Bale)

Annual Savings on Hay StorageAnnual Savings on Hay Storage

AssumptionsAssumptions– Hay valued at $75/ton (dry matter)Hay valued at $75/ton (dry matter)– Hay losses reduced by 30%Hay losses reduced by 30%– 50 x 100 building (annual cost - $3125)50 x 100 building (annual cost - $3125)– Storage Capacity - 250 tons (wet basis)Storage Capacity - 250 tons (wet basis)– Hay stored at 15% moistureHay stored at 15% moisture

Annual Savings on Hay StorageAnnual Savings on Hay Storage

Dry matter saved - 64 tons - - $4800Dry matter saved - 64 tons - - $4800Net Savings - - - $1675Net Savings - - - $1675What if?What if?– If Digestibility Improved by 5% (Total of 42% If Digestibility Improved by 5% (Total of 42%

Savings) Net Savings - - $3553Savings) Net Savings - - $3553– If Hay worth $90/ton, If Hay worth $90/ton,

Net Savings Net Savings - - $4889 - - $4889– If dry matter loss improved by 50%, (106 tons) If dry matter loss improved by 50%, (106 tons)

Net Savings - - $4825 Net Savings - - $4825

If You Build A BarnIf You Build A Barn

JOHN DEERE

How Much Should You Store in How Much Should You Store in the Barn?the Barn?

All that you can fit in existing barnsAll that you can fit in existing barns

All square balesAll square bales

50 to 75% of crop (feed last cutting first 50 to 75% of crop (feed last cutting first and store outside)and store outside)

Barn RecommendationsBarn Recommendations

Build to meet Southern Building code Build to meet Southern Building code (80 mph wind)(80 mph wind)

If possible, orient the long axis east and If possible, orient the long axis east and west on open-sided barnswest on open-sided barns

Hay storage should be open, especially Hay storage should be open, especially at the gable end for ventilationat the gable end for ventilation

Stack bales on end to increase capacityStack bales on end to increase capacity

Make sure the eave height (vertical Make sure the eave height (vertical clearance) of barn is sufficientclearance) of barn is sufficient

Rot and Rust on Inside Roof?Rot and Rust on Inside Roof?

Enclosed GableEnclosed Gable

Water Loss from Curing HayWater Loss from Curing Hay

100 tons of hay stored at 16% moisture100 tons of hay stored at 16% moisture

Dries to 13% moistureDries to 13% moisture

3% of 100 tons = 3 tons of water 3% of 100 tons = 3 tons of water

= 722 gallons= 722 gallons

Must be removed by ventilationMust be removed by ventilation

How much Ventilation? How much Ventilation? (Enclosed Barn)(Enclosed Barn)

Larger of the following 2 options:Larger of the following 2 options:– 6” continuous ridge vent6” continuous ridge vent– 2”/ 10 ft of width2”/ 10 ft of width

For a 50-ft wide building -10” Ridge vent For a 50-ft wide building -10” Ridge vent (83 sq. ft of ridge/gable opening for 100-(83 sq. ft of ridge/gable opening for 100-ft long building)ft long building)Equal area of opening near bottom of Equal area of opening near bottom of walls (Door can serve as part of vent) walls (Door can serve as part of vent)

Flooring for Square BalesFlooring for Square Bales

Anything that promotes ventilation under Anything that promotes ventilation under the hay is good (Large rock, pallets,etc.the hay is good (Large rock, pallets,etc.Ideal is a raised floor with air Ideal is a raised floor with air underneath (not always practical)underneath (not always practical)Bottom layer on edge – primarily to Bottom layer on edge – primarily to keep twine from rotting, but also helps keep twine from rotting, but also helps promote ventilation promote ventilation Concrete with vapor barrier underneath Concrete with vapor barrier underneath and well-drainedand well-drained

If You Store In the FieldIf You Store In the Field

Field Storage Field Storage RecommendationsRecommendations

Store on high, well-drained groundStore on high, well-drained ground

Store in open, sunny areaStore in open, sunny area

Store in rows with flat edges touching Store in rows with flat edges touching and round edges separated (unless and round edges separated (unless tarped)tarped)

Orient rows North and SouthOrient rows North and South

Orient rows down slope, not across Orient rows down slope, not across slopeslope

What’s Right? What’s Wrong?What’s Right? What’s Wrong?

22ndnd Year Outside Hay Year Outside Hay

Controlling Feeding WasteControlling Feeding Waste

Losses > 40%Losses > 40%

Vs.

Losses < 7%Losses < 7%Slide courtesy of Slide courtesy of Dennis HancockDennis Hancock

Feeding LossesFeeding LossesFeeding LossesFeeding Losses

Method 1 day 7 day

---- % Waste----

Unrolled 12.3 43.0

Ring 4.9 5.4


Feeding LossesFeeding LossesFeeding LossesFeeding Losses

Item % Waste

Cone 2 - 5

Ring 4 - 7

Trailer 10 - 13

Cradle 15 - 20

Adapted from: Southern Forages (4th ed.) andBuskirk et al., 2003. J. Anim. Sci. 81:109-115


QUESTIONS ?QUESTIONS ?

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Hay Storage Systems Southeast Hay Convention John W. Worley.

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