Determining Moisture Content in Hay

[Chuckie]

I read this in the "Southern Forages" book. It says you can test the moisture content of your hay with a microwave oven. But you have to already have grams scale.
Here is what they recommend doing:
1. Chop fresh forage into 1-2 inch lengths for easy handling.
2. Weigh out 100 grams (3.5 oz.) of the chopped forage.
3. Spread forage thinly on a microwave dish and place into microwave.
4. Heat for 2 minutes and reweigh...If the forage is not completely dry, reheat for 30 more seconds, and weigh again. It is better to dry for short intervalsand reweigh until the last two weights are the same, than to overdry and run the risk of burning and damaging the oven. Continue this process until the back to back weights are the same, or charring occurs.
5. Figure out the moisture content using the following equation:

% moisture content = W1-W2 X 100
..................................... W1
W1 = Weight of forage before heating
W2 = Weight of forage after heating.

Dry matter (DM) is the percentage of forage that is not water. DM equals 100% minus percent water.

Example: moisture content 14%
DM = 100 - 14 = 86%

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Sounds like a good "Mother Earth" type process to determine moisture content.

However, a lot of trouble...no problem if time not factor.

Quicker method (matter of seconds) is to use a "Moisture Tester" tool. Of course, y'all already know about those... ;-)

 

[Chuckie]

I agree that the tool that measures moisture in hay by far would be the best. But I found it interesting that you could actually do it in your microwave oven. It could be labeled as "Interesting useless information."

 

[shorty]

I have a moisture tester but it seems when the moisture is higher it's not very accurate.

 

[MikeC]

I have a moisture tester but it seems when the moisture is higher it's not very accurate.

When sending a forage/hay sample to a lab, this is the way the moisture % is measured. With an accurate set of scales it is most reliable.

They take it a little farther when testing for nutrients, they cook it down to ashes, then use a mass chromatograph.

The protein content is measured by the amount of nitrogen in the ashes.

 

[Chuckie]

Let's just call it the "Betty Crocker" method. :D

 

[gabby]

After some practice you can squeeze coastal hay and twist a bunch of it between both hands and tell if it's dry enough to bale. If it's rubbery or spongy it's too wet. If it's crispy and crackly it's dry enough. Better to bale it a little on the dry side than a little on the damp side. Damp hay will get hot and go sour in the bale every time. Dry hay will stay cool and fresh in the bale.
gabby

 

[dun]

Sounds like a good "Mother Earth" type process to determine moisture content.

But what good "Mother Earth" type would have a microwave?

dun