The total hay production in the United States last year was around 122.46 million tons. Several factors, such as drought, extreme weather, and irregular rainfall, impact hay production. Hence, its proper storage is necessary to maintain its nutrient quality and profit. Metal farm buildings Offer a secure place to keep large quality hay bales and protect them from molding, mildew, and pests, increasing the shelf life of hay.

Hay Spoilage (Why It Happens)

The major causes of hay spoilage are due to the following:

• Excessive moisture

• Heat generation within the hay bales 

• Mold growth on damp hay

The Science Behind It? When moisture builds up, microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, etc., start breaking down the organic material in hay. This leads to heat production and creates an ideal environment for molding. Excessive heat can also lead to fire hazards.  These microorganisms feed on the nutrients in hay bales and degrade their quality.

So, how do you store hay and avoid these situations? Let’s see.

Calculating Hay Bale Sizing & Spacing Needs

Common Hay Bale Sizes

Calculating Storage Space

Step 1: Determine the total no. of hay bales you need to store. From the above, we can find the volume of a single bale.

• Small Square Bale: 9 cubic ft.

• Large Square Bale: 72 cubic ft.

• Round Bale: 98 cubic ft.

Step 2: Now, multiply the total number of bales by the volume of one bale (from above).

Step 3: Consider how efficient stacking will be and the gaps between them to find an estimated size of metal buildings for hay storage.

Choosing The Right Metal Barn

Steel Barns Sizes

If you have 100 small square bales. The total space you will need to store it is 100 x 9 (volume of one small sq. bale). It’s about 900 cubic feet. Hence, you can choose metal hay barns of sizes 10 ft. wide x 15 ft. long x 06 ft. high or 10 ft. wide x 10 ft. long x 09 ft. high. Note that here, we haven’t considered spacing and efficiency, else the size would be a little bigger.

Similarly, for 100 large square bales, the total space needed is 100 x 72 = 7200 cubic ft., and for storing 100 round bales, the space required is 100 x 98 = 9800 cubic ft.

E.g., 30x40 metal farm buildings with 6 stacks of hay bales each 2 ft. apart, can hold about 700 small square bales, about 90 large square bales, and about 65 round bales.

Accessibility For Easy Loading & Unloading

You can opt for wide doorways and openings to add large equipment and hay bales easily inside a steel farm barn. This will easily let you use a conveyor, forklift, and loading ramps to facilitate loading and offloading.

Preparing Metal Hay Barns For Storage

• Site Selection: Choose a location with good drainage and easily accessible for carrying in & out hay bales without getting stuck. The best way to ensure ventilation is to choose a site with wind direction that aids natural ventilation for hay.

• Floor Preparation: Ensure the ground is leveled to prevent uneven stacking or shifting of bales. You can opt for a concrete slab as a solid base for steel barns to keep bales dry and prevent rodents from nesting. When storing bales, ensure moisture doesn’t seep up the ground.

• Ventilation: Sufficient openings from windows, vents, doors, etc., allow proper airflow inside to reduce moisture and keep molding at bay. You can include fans and translucent panels for natural lighting as well.

• Pest Control: Make sure to seal all the gaps, cracks, and openings in the steel hay barn building to avoid pest infestation. You can install traps or bait to catch mice or rats. You can conduct a regular check to address any pest activity.

Stacking And Arranging Hay Bales

Stacking Methods

The best way to store hay bales for a long time is to stack them correctly. Here are some common stacking techniques you can opt for:

• Pyramid – Keep the bottom layer bales flat on their sides and start stacking them in a crisscross pattern to create a stable stack and avoid toppling.

• Brick – Here, bales are stacked like brick (on the wall), where each layer is offset from the one below it. This creates stability and prevents shifting.

• Cross – In this method, the bales above are positioned right-angled to the one below, creating sturdy rows and columns.

Spacing For Airflow

• Gaps Between Stacks: Make sure to leave some gaps between each row of hay bales for airflow and to reduce moisture. Generally, farmers leave a 2 to 4 ft. gap between the two rows.

• Elevate The Base: It is best not to store hay on the ground. Instead, use a raised platform for air circulation underneath it. You can use pallets to keep bales off the ground.

• Vertical Space: With steel hay farm barns, you can easily get vertical space to stack bales as high as safely possible. In principle, you can have a central aisle as tall as 40 ft. or even more, depending on local building regulations, land availability, and budget.

Maintaining & Monitoring Hay Condition

• Regular Inspection: You can conduct a visual inspection to check for signs of molds, discoloration, or any unusual odors. With regular inspection (esp. during the first few weeks of stacking), you can avoid chances of fire and ensure the quality & consistency of hay.

• Humidity Control: For farms in humid areas, you can opt for a dehumidifier to control moisture in the barn. You can adjust ventilation as per changing weather patterns to ensure the quality of hay remains intact.

• Action Against Spoilage: Ensure hay is properly dried before storing to avoid moisture and spoilage. If you spot any spoiled or moldy bales, remove them from the stack, as it may affect others. Wondering what to do with spoiled hay? You can repurpose it for composting or mulch in the garden (non-food purposes).
  
  

To avoid any spoilage, you can implement regular pest control measures, such as having pest-repellent plants like mint or lavender.

Take Action Today: Safeguard Your Hay And Maximize Your Metal Barn's Potential

With these preventive measures, farmers and ranchers can reduce hay wastage and retain its quality for a good resale value. With insulated & ventilated metal farm buildings, farmers can easily reduce the chances of pests, mold, and fire and use it as a multi-functional space during growing seasons. So, what do you think? Do you use any method to keep hay bales in the best condition? Share it with us.