Traditional hay storage returns to farms

By Andi Anderson

The rising value of feed and livestock is prompting modern farmers to reconsider traditional hay storage and feeding practices.

Reflecting on techniques used by past generations, experts suggest that indoor hay storage and more efficient feeding methods could help farmers reduce losses and improve feed quality.

In the past, round bales were commonly stored indoors to maintain their quality. However, as larger balers became popular, storing hay outside became the norm. Today, many farmers leave hay exposed, resulting in nutrient losses.

Research from several Midwestern universities indicates that outdoor-stored hay can lose up to 20% of its nutrients, which becomes significant when hay prices and cattle values are high.

These losses could be reduced by adopting storage methods that were once widely used. Early generations often built barns specifically for storing hay, knowing the benefits of keeping feed dry and safe.

With financing options available through government programs, such as low-interest loans from the Farm Service Agency, farmers today have affordable options to build storage structures dedicated to hay, helping to preserve valuable nutrients.

Beyond storage, feeding practices also impact hay quality and usage. Studies reveal that using bale rings can result in losses of 12% or more, as hay gets trampled and spoiled. When hay is fed directly on the ground, losses may increase to as much as 40%.

To reduce these losses, some farmers are considering processing or chopping hay before feeding, which enhances digestibility and allows for use in feeding bunks—another practice seen in earlier generations.

By adopting these traditional approaches, today’s farmers can protect their hay investments and potentially see higher returns in cattle health and productivity.

Furthermore, the manure produced by cattle offers a natural fertilizer, a benefit well-known to previous generations who relied on manure as a key nutrient source for crops.

As feed becomes increasingly valuable, modern farmers may benefit from revisiting traditional practices for both hay storage and feeding. This shift could help to reduce feed losses, improve animal nutrition, and even enhance soil health—demonstrating that sometimes, the "winds of change" lead us back to proven, sustainable methods.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-jessicahyde