🌾 Hay Storage Tips for Horses and Cattle in 2025 🏠🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

In 2025, hay prices continue to rise, making proper hay storage essential to protecting your investment. Whether feeding horses, cattle, or small ruminants, storing hay improperly can result in massive nutrient losses—and even health hazards. Here’s how to do it right. 💡💸

📉 The Cost of Improper Storage

According to the South Dakota State Extension Service, hay stored under dry conditions at 15% moisture loses only ~5% of its nutrients. But hay stored with moisture over 20%—especially round bales stored outside—can face losses exceeding 30%. 😱🌧️

Every stage of the hay process—from cutting to baling to stacking—can create waste if not done correctly. Let’s break it down. 🛠️

⚙️ Baling: Denser is Better

• 🌀 Round bales are most susceptible to storage losses
• 📏 Aim for at least 10 lbs/cubic foot for round bale density
• ➕ Uniform windrows produce tighter, better-formed bales

👉 A tighter bale means less surface area for water to enter and less oxygen for microbial growth. This means a longer shelf life and better nutrient preservation. 🧪✅

🏗️ Covered Storage Pays for Itself

Consider investing in a pole barn or hay shelter. While the upfront cost may seem high, reducing spoilage from 30% to under 10% can save thousands of dollars annually in lost hay. 🏠💰

💡 Some producers use tarps or bale wraps as a lower-cost alternative, but these must be managed carefully to avoid condensation and mold buildup. 💨🛑

🧱 How to Stack and Store Round Bales

• 🌞 Store round bale rows north to south—this maximizes sun exposure
• 💨 Leave at least 3 feet between bale rows for airflow
• 💧 Store bales on gravel, pallets, or plastic to avoid ground moisture wicking
• 🚫 Don’t stack bales touching side-to-side—moisture builds where they meet

🎯 For long-term success, think of hay storage like food storage for animals—if it molds or rots, it becomes toxic and unusable. 👃🛑

🐴 Hay Safety for Horses

Horses are extremely sensitive to mold and dust in hay. Poorly stored hay can result in:

• 🤕 Colic
• 😷 Equine asthma (heaves)
• 🚫 Refusal to eat musty hay

Solution: Store hay off the ground, out of the rain, and inspect every bale before feeding. Avoid dusty or spoiled flakes. 💯✅

📋 Storage Checklist

Dr Duncan Houston’s quick list for 2025 hay storage success:

• 🧯 Moisture below 15%
• 🏠 Covered storage with airflow
• 📏 North-south row alignment
• 🚜 Pallets or gravel under bales
• 🧪 Annual hay testing for nutrient levels

📱 Need Help? Ask A Vet Can Guide You

At AskAVet.com, Dr Duncan Houston helps horse and livestock owners with:

• 🌡️ Hay testing labs
• 💾 Hay inventory calculators
• 🧮 Feed conversion tools for poor-quality hay
• 🏗️ Storage planning for small farms

🏁 Final Thoughts

Hay is gold in the horse world, and protecting it is not just smart—it’s necessary. With the right storage setup, you’ll preserve nutrients, prevent waste, and protect your animals from harm. 🌾🛡️

Need a free hay storage checklist or ventilation diagram? Download yours now at AskAVet.com 📥📋