How to Store Hay for the Winter

Most horse and cattle owners stock hay toward the end of summer (July and August) just after the final cuts because the price is significantly lower than in later months. If this is your plan for this summer, you'll need to find a way to store the hay for winter. Improperly stored hay can be a magnet for insects as well as mold, dust and other pollutants. If your hay becomes inedible, you'll have lost a significant amount of money.

The two most common worries when you store hay for the winter is dampness and poor air circulation. When hay sits in a damp climate with no ventilation, it can easily mold and ferment, and might even spontaneously combust. Hay is packed tightly into bales, so you'll need to find ways to keep it dry and cool until the winter temperatures begin to drop.

Check Your Bales

This is an especially important point if you are purchasing hay from a new vendor. Check at least three or four bales by plunging your hand into the center. If it feels damp and hot, the hay probably won't survive through the winter. You want hay that is relatively cool at the center and completely free of built-up moisture. You must also get close to the bales so you can smell them; musty smells are indicative of mold.

Build a Shed

It is never a good idea to store hay for the winter in the same building in which your horses are kept. If the heat develops, which it will often do in hay lofts, spontaneous combustion could set the entire structure on fire. Instead, build a shed or hay barn with a cover to protect the hay from ray and direct sunlight. If possible, build the hay shed at least 100 yards from your barn.

Create Ventilation

A hay shed is a great way to store hay for the winter, but it must be properly ventilated. Roof vents are the easiest way to go, with additional vents on the side of the structure. It is also a good idea to install fans that will turn on when the temperature inside the shed exceeds ninety degrees. If you must run the fans continuously, however, it is usually safe to turn them off at night.

Leave Gaps

Ventilation in the structure of your hay shed isn't enough; to keep it cool and dry until winter, you'll need to leave gaps between stacks of hay. Creating aisles between stacks is a good idea, and make sure to leave at least four or five feet of room between the walls of the structure and the hay (including the ceiling). If you live in a particularly warm area of the country, stack your hay bails vertically so that heat can escape.

Get it Off the Ground

In addition, store your hay for the winter with the bottom bales off the ground. Wooden pallets with three-inch slats work best for this purpose, as it allows air flow not only around the bails, but also underneath. I would recommend this practice even if your hay shed has a concrete floor.