Time to make hay! Or perhaps you are getting ready to store your hay. Your geographic location can determine what phase of hay production you are in. Regardless, it’s important to ensure you are testing moisture in hay.
At BioZyme®, we focus on animal health and nutrition for all animals. We know that several species, including horses, cattle, sheep and goats, depend on high-quality hay throughout the year, especially the forthcoming winter months.
Although we know that most of our customers conduct forage testing for protein and other nutritional components, it is also important to test for moisture.
That is why our team developed this blog. We want to help producers and animal lovers like you with the information they need to stay safe and provide their animals with the best nutrition possible.
When Should I be Testing Moisture in Hay?
Testing for hay moisture is crucial to ensure safe storage and quality. There are a few key times when it is best to test for moisture.
Before Baling
Test moisture right before baling. Ideal moisture levels vary by type of hay, but typically:
- Small square bales: 18-22%
- Large round or square bales: 14-18%
After Cutting but Before Baling
If you’re conditioning or tedding the hay to dry it, testing in the field during drying helps track progress.
During Baling
During baling, periodically test hay moisture to ensure consistency, especially in different parts of the field.
Before Storage
We highly recommend testing moisture after baling, before stacking in storage. Moisture levels above 20% can lead to mold growth and potential fire risk from spontaneous combustion.
How to Test Hay Moisture
Use a hay moisture meter to test the moisture levels in your hay. If you are going to be making or storing hay on a regular basis, the one-time investment of this handy tool could pay off over time.
Why is Testing Moisture in Hay Important?
Testing moisture in hay is crucial for several reasons related to quality, safety and economic value. Let’s look at the 5 reasons you should test your hay for moisture.
1. Preventing Spoilage & Mold
High moisture content in hay can lead to mold growth, making the hay dangerous or undesirable for livestock consumption. Mold can cause respiratory issues or other health problems in animals.
2. Preventing Fire Hazards
Hay with excessive moisture can undergo spontaneous combustion due to microbial activity, leading to heat build-up inside the bale. This poses a significant fire risk in barns and storage areas. We often read about tragic fires of barns and hay facilities each year due to this very issue.
3. Maintaining Nutritional Value
Hay with too much moisture could lose nutrients during the fermentation or spoiling process, reducing its feed quality. Testing moisture in hay helps ensure that the hay retains its full nutritional potential.
4. Economic Value
Excessively moist hay is heavier, which can lead to buyers paying more than the actual value due to the water weight. Testing ensures that those buying hay are accurately pricing hay based on its dry matter content.
5. Storage Efficiency
Hay with proper moisture levels stores better and longer without deteriorating. This allows for better inventory management and reduces losses over time. It is also easier and more efficient to stack hay at the proper moisture level. This once again makes storing hay safer.
By keeping moisture levels in check, producers ensure the hay’s quality and safety for both animals and storage conditions.
Enhance your Hay Quality with BioZyme
We know that hay is part of your animals’ diets if you are feeding ruminants or horses. We also know that not every bale of hay you make or feed will have 100% of the nutrients your animals require. That’s why BioZyme makes safe, accurate products for all species. Our products are research-proven and powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®.
Although we don’t test for moisture in hay, we do provide other services. These include hay testing, educational blogs across all species and gestation calculators for your cattle, sheep and goats.
Get your BioZyme Products Today
We want your animals to get the best care possible, and we know that starts and ends with the BioZyme family of brands.
Are you interested in purchasing from the BioZyme family of brands? You can buy products from our online store. Or, if you prefer to show local support, find a dealer closest to you on our dealer locator.
Read more about our brands:
- AO-Biotics® – a line of fermentation products derived from BioZyme’s innovative fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (AO) to promote resilience.
- VitaFerm® – a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle that maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production.
- Gain Smart® – a line of vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds.
- Sure Champ® – a line of products that support the health and well-being of show livestock.
- Vitalize® – a line of supplements for horses, dogs and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing.
- DuraFerm® – a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that supports optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every stage of production.
- Backyard Boost® – a line of products purposefully crafted to support the well-being of birds.
Once on the brand page, you can read an educational blog, use a calculator or sign up for our educational newsletter.