Mold on Hay?

cowmomma · Jan 21, 2006

Some of our hay was cut in a creek bottom...and I guess it wasn't as dry as it should be. When I rolled it out I noticed some mold in the outer layers. It smells sweet and the cows kinda went more for that part than the center. Would this slightly fermented hay be like silage?

Thank you for all your help. This has quickly become my favorite website. Is there a way to make it my home page?

johndeerefarmer · Jan 27, 2006

I sometimes get a little mold in my hay, if I am in a hurry baling to beat the weather. It's white powdery stuff. I understand that it will not hurt cattle but might hurt horses.

flaboy+ · Jan 27, 2006

I have fed some pretty nasty hay to cows with no ill affects. They have eaten hay that sat outside for two years and through 3 hurricanes. I didn't think they would eat it and I was going to burn it eventually. They ate it before I could. I think when it got good and rotten they really liked it. Keep it away from horses though.