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Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Figure 5.11 (a): Hand baler Figure 5.11 (b): Hay bale

(d) Storage of the hay
Hay must be stored in a dry environment. It must be protected from rain and direct
sunlight. Stored hay must also be well ventilated. Loose hay or hay bales can be
stored under cover or can also be stored by creating haystacks. Haystacks may be
created in a field near the source or close to where the hay will be used later. Stacks
may be covered by plastic sheets to protect them from rain and excessive exposure
to sun. The surface layer of a stack can also be thatched in the same manner as a
thatched roof to a house. The floor of hay store or haystack must be moisture proof
or bales must be kept on wooden pallets. Generally, properly preserved hay should
be free from mould formation or smell of rotting. Moist (more than 20% moisture)
bales encourage fermentation in the barn and can cause heat build-up enough to start
a fire. Therefore, one needs close watching of the hay during the first 5 - 7 days of
storage. Figure 5.12 illustrates an example of hay storage.

Figure 5.12: Stacked hay

Student’s Book Form Twos Book Form Three
Student’
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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 113 10/01/2025 12:31