What to do?

[mitchwi]

I know there are a lot of areas having hay shortages, I feel for all of you, we have had that situation in the past and it is a bad place to be in.

At our place we do not have that situation this year. But here is what I would like some input on. I did the math of hay we have, money to spend and bought as many head this fall as was allowed. Now I figured a high percent of waste (we had some hay remaining from prior year) as all of hay is stored outside. And also probably figured high on what each animal would potentially eat. Anyway, on my VERY conservative calculations I thought we could have 53 animals (born spring 2005). We have 51 animals and they are eating 16 bales a week at this point and this is last years hay and we have 2 more weeks of this left, before we start with this years hay crop.

Question: When we start feeding this years hay, do you think they will eat more because of better quality? or less?

We have decided come this spring we will start building a shed for hay/equip storage. Last year we tore down an old barn and set grade for this new shed, and this is where we stacked this years hay. My husband wanted all hay gone in order to build this shed come spring.

Questions: Could we feed out the hay working from the outside in so it would still be feasible to set poles and start building? Or, borrow $ to purchase cattle now to use up the hay? Or, wait until spring when they get separated and heifers to be bred get kicked out to pasture...reevaluate feed hay/corn situation and see how many more stockers I could feed out? Any other opinions? options?

Thanks Michele

 

[msscamp]

Just from what I've seen around here, although they are going to eat a certain amount regardless of the quality, the cows should eat less (depending on temperature, etc.) because the quality is better, but what do I know? I'm not sure I understand your question about feeding 'from the outside in' as I'm not aware of any other way to do it. Sorry. As for the rest, I can't advise as it depends on your individual circumstances.

 

[farmer4620]

You have that much hay sell it...help pay for hay equipment...with the drought in parts of the country probably can get good money

 

[mitchwi]

Just from what I've seen around here, although they are going to eat a certain amount regardless of the quality, the cows should eat less (depending on temperature, etc.) because the quality is better, but what do I know? I'm not sure I understand your question about feeding 'from the outside in' as I'm not aware of any other way to do it. Sorry. As for the rest, I can't advise as it depends on your individual circumstances.

Sorry about from the "outside in"....we have all the hay stacked on a pad established for a shed. So my comment was to start feeding out the hay from the outside and work towards the middle of this stack so we could set poles around the perimeter, essentially building a shed over the top of the hay. So I guess my question is, if we still have hay left that has been out in the elements to then put a shed over the top of it ok for the hay?

 

[mitchwi]

You have that much hay sell it...help pay for hay equipment...with the drought in parts of the country probably can get good money

Our hay isn't shedded and when I checked on hay prices here, they aren't getting much to begin with for hay that has been protected.

 

[msscamp]

Just from what I've seen around here, although they are going to eat a certain amount regardless of the quality, the cows should eat less (depending on temperature, etc.) because the quality is better, but what do I know? I'm not sure I understand your question about feeding 'from the outside in' as I'm not aware of any other way to do it. Sorry. As for the rest, I can't advise as it depends on your individual circumstances.

Sorry about from the "outside in"....we have all the hay stacked on a pad established for a shed. So my comment was to start feeding out the hay from the outside and work towards the middle of this stack so we could set poles around the perimeter, essentially building a shed over the top of the hay. So I guess my question is, if we still have hay left that has been out in the elements to then put a shed over the top of it ok for the hay?

I would think so, especially if the hay is tarped now. One thing I would be concerned about is the amount of moisture that has soaked up from the bottom if the hay is sitting right on the concrete.

 

[mitchwi]

I would think so, especially if the hay is tarped now. One thing I would be concerned about is the amount of moisture that has soaked up from the bottom if the hay is sitting right on the concrete.

Not tarped, not on cement.

 

[msscamp]

I would think so, especially if the hay is tarped now. One thing I would be concerned about is the amount of moisture that has soaked up from the bottom if the hay is sitting right on the concrete.

Not tarped, not on cement.

Still should be ok. The only problem with building a hay shed around an existing stack is if there has been enough rain or snow to soak down into the stack and cause a potential problem with spontaneous combustion.

 

[mitchwi]

Still should be ok. The only problem with building a hay shed around an existing stack is if there has been enough rain or snow to soak down into the stack and cause a potential problem with spontaneous combustion.

plenty of rain, plenty of snow = problem... that's what I was feeling. So then I need to see what I'm going to do about getting rid of the hay (selling not an option). I don't want to give it away, and that's pretty much what you need to do around here if it hasn't been shedded.

 

[dj]

I'd go ahead and put the shed over the hay.
feed all you can and move only when you have to
get new hay in.The bale developes a "seal" on the outside when it weathers.Once you disturb that it will let water get further down into the bale.
Combustion is from moisture inside the bale isn't it?
Not external moisture?

 

[mitchwi]

I'd go ahead and put the shed over the hay.
feed all you can and move only when you have to
get new hay in.The bale developes a "seal" on the outside when it weathers.Once you disturb that it will let water get further down into the bale.
Combustion is from moisture inside the bale isn't it?
Not external moisture?

good point...I think you're onto something

 

[msscamp]

The bale developes a "seal" on the outside when it weathers.Once you disturb that it will let water get further down into the bale.

Would you explain this further, please? We always tarp our stacks that are stored outside and this past spring, while loading out hay, discovered that a couple of holes either had developed or were missed when we tarped the stack. We also discovered that the water had soaked into the bales clear down to the 5th or 6th layer and they were moldy. I'm unclear on this 'seal' that developes and whether a tarp would affect it or not. Help? Thanks!

 

[LonghornRanch]

Will this be a metal shed? You can't weld over hay.

 

[stocky]

The cows will eat about the same amount of hay. The difference is that this years hay will have more edible hay in it so the hay will go further. If you have extra hay, I would buy a few more head now before they get higher and sell them the first part of April when grass is near. I dont think you will be real happy about the hay that weathered outside and then was covered while still wet. I think you will find extra mold and waste that way.

 

[Susie David]

IMO...put your decision making process down on paper with all the cost variables that you can think of. You used one term that made me cringe...borrow $$ to buy cows to eat the hay; not a real good reason to purchase additional cows IMO.
We are on the down slide of our business life and are debt free and intend to stay that way. I'd set the poles, put the roof on...hay can always be moved. Unprotected hay quickly loosed its value in any part of the country that has wet weather.
Risk management...outline all possible courses of action on paper then make an informed decision.
DMc

 

[gabby]

Don't try to build the shed around or over the hay. Move the hay off the site one way or another. You will save yourself mucho aggravation during construction if you have a clear site. You'll be glad you did.
gabby

 

[dj]

The bale developes a "seal" on the outside when it weathers.Once you disturb that it will let water get further down into the bale.

Would you explain this further, please? We always tarp our stacks that are stored outside and this past spring, while loading out hay, discovered that a couple of holes either had developed or were missed when we tarped the stack. We also discovered that the water had soaked into the bales clear down to the 5th or 6th layer and they were moldy. I'm unclear on this 'seal' that developes and whether a tarp would affect it or not. Help? Thanks!

I made an assumption that they hadn't tarped or covered their hay in the first place. If you set some out(bales) uncovered they weather and develope a kinda seal that you don't see in covered hay.
The problem you experienced was because the hay was covered and not exposed to wind, sun (drying effects) allowing the moisture to penetrate deeper. You'll also discover your rodent damage to be more extensive than bales stacked single and exposed. They like that sweet clover too, ehh.
The tarp allows them to hide from cats,skunks, snakes better than an open barn area also.

 

[msscamp]

Thanks, dj. I figured it was due to the hay being tarped, but wasn't sure as I don't have much experience with uncovered hay. I appreciate the explanation.

PS Everything likes that sweet clover! :lol: :lol:

 

[norriscathy]

If the freight wasn't so high, I'd send you a hundred head or so to winter for me until (if) the rains come.

 

[msscamp]

I hear you there! I'm praying for rain for everyone caught in this mess. Hopefully the drought will break soon.