External moisture will keep the leaves together and prevent shattering and leaf loss, give the hay a softer, more palatable texture, and bond any naturally occurring dust (such as road dust, pollen, ...

Hot spots or fire pockets are likely. Alert fire service to the possible hay fire incident. Close barns to minimize air ...

“Investing in a hay moisture tester and a bale thermometer can improve hay quality and remove guesswork and stress from haymaking,” said Hill. Source: University of Missouri Extension.

Hay moisture meters aren’t forked like a dowsing stick, and they don’t twitch. But their digital readings still give a pretty good indication of whether to put that hay up while the sun is ...

The Grainmaster I can also be used with a range of optional probes for measuring temperature in stored grain and moisture levels in baled hay and straw. Price is £290. (01628-472722) ...

The moisture content needs to be below 18% before making a round bale. But estimating moisture content can be somewhat difficult. Being off by just a few percent can be the difference between hay ...

“Hay baled with more than 22 percent moisture should not be put into storage for at least 30 days, especially if hay will be stacked several layers deep,” said Hill. Safe storage temperatures ...

“If you bale at 10 percent, the hay will have an RFV of 140. If you bale the same field of alfalfa at 16 percent moisture, you can increase RFV about 40 points.” The same is true for yield.

WITH last week’s downpours only adding to the drenching experienced of late by the country’s southeast — and the prospect of more to come — a warning has been issued for farmers baling hay.