Background: Every dairy farmer knows the expression: “Make hay while the sun
shines.” This is because the grass and alfalfa that is grown for hay (to feed cows throughout the year) must be cut and completely dried in the fields before it is compressed into hay bales and stored in the barn
hayloft. If the hay is baled and stored in the barn while it is either still
green or damp from rain the results are disastrous for the farmer.

It has to do with cellular respiration

Wet hay left in a barn will begin to decompose via anaerobic respiration. This form of respiration creates lots of heat which overtime can actually cause the pile to ignite.

This will take many weeks to months to occur mind you. However, eventually the heat will find an opening, and introduce oxygen into the mix. Once you have the heat, oxygen, and fuel (hay) it will catch on fire and burn the hay and barn down.

Another problem is the cool, dark, moist conditions will encourage mold growth. Some mold can actually make the hay dangerous / deadly to be consumed.

Filed under: dairy hay

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