Over winter hay storage losses

ABP is excited to feature the writings of Barry Yaremcio, ruminant nutritionist and production management consultant. Barry is a trusted voice in cattle nutrition and forage production, operating Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd. This article was originally published on his BYOB Blog, which can be found on his website.

When hay is carried over the winter, bales lose weight and quality. Research on overwinter bale storage done in the Westlock, AB area found a 5.7 per cent reduction in bale weight. A 1,400 pound bale in July would weigh 1,320 pounds by the following spring. At 8 cents per pound, this weight loss effectively pushes the laid in price from $112 per bale to $119 per bale. 

Research in North America has reported overwinter bale weight losses as high as 18 per cent. Conversely, weight loss for bales stored under a shed or plastic is typically 2 per cent. 

Weathering also affects the acceptability of hay to livestock. Cattle eat less weather damaged hay, rejecting up to 8 per cent more feed from bales that are stored outdoors compared to indoors. Increasing the cost of the hay from $119 per bale to $129 per bale.

Bales stored outdoors tend to squat or flatten out during storage.  This increases the surface area in contact with the ground and exposure to rain. Weathering and water damage reduces quality. Both consumption and digestibility decrease. Protein and energy content in the hay is lower.  Weathered hay can test 2 to 3 per cent lower protein (forage that tested 14 per cent after baling can be 10 to 11 per cent the following spring). Also, energy content can be 20 to 50 per cent lower. Hay with a TDN value of 63 per cent after baling can be as low as 45 to 55 per cent the next spring. Supplementing two year old hay with barley and protein is needed to compensate for lower forage quality. This increases winter feeding costs.

These losses are considered part of the cost of storing feed outside during winter. Putting hay up as wrapped bales, storing under a shed, or as silage have additional costs, but the economics may show there is an advantage to changing how hay is stored.