Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, either for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep, or for smaller domesticated animals such as rabbits [1] and guinea pigs.

May 31, 2022 · When we cut forage, it typically has 75-80% moisture which must be lowered down to about 14-18% to make dry hay. How are we able to get that moisture out, and what are the factors that affect hay drying?

Mar 16, 2011 · According to University of Wisconsin forage specialist Dan Undersander, mown hay dries in three distinct phases. Understanding what happens in each phase can lead us to management practices to improve hay quality and reduce losses.

Oct 2, 2024 · Baling: Compacting the dried hay into manageable bales for storage and transportation. Storage: Storing the baled hay in a dry, well-ventilated area to preserve its quality. The Importance of Hay in Farming. Hay plays a crucial role in the sustainability and profitability of farming operations. It serves not only as a food source for livestock ...

Jun 18, 2019 · A study done by Dan Undersander, an extension forage agronomist with the University of Wisconsin, shows hay will dry twice as fast when it covers the entire cut area compared to hay covering one-fourth of that area.

With a desire to feed top-quality nutritious hay and increase their return on investment, Lars and Ingrid Steunebrink from Kirkton, Ontario, found themselves a new way to dry hay.

In haymaking, the best recommendation is to dry hay rapidly. Mechanical conditioning should be used, and high yielding crops should be spread in wide swaths. Tedding may be useful in drying grass crops, but it should be avoided with alfalfa, particularly after the crop has partially dried.

When forage is cut, it has 75 to 80 percent moisture, which must be dried down to 60 to 65% moisture content for haylage and down to 14 to 18% moisture content for hay (lower figures for larger bales). The first phase of drying is moisture loss from the leaves through the stomates.

Feb 16, 2024 · High-quality dry hay is packed with essential nutrients needed for the optimal health and growth of livestock. It serves as a primary source of fiber, protein, and energy, which are crucial for rumen function, weight gain, milk production, and overall animal health.

Haymaking turns green, perishable, forage into a product that can be safely stored and easily transported without danger of spoilage, while keeping losses of dry matter and nutrients to a minimum. This involves reducing its moisture content from 70 - 90% to 20 - 25% or less.