Wet hay can be dangerous. Excessive moisture content in baled hay causes heat to be generated within the bale as wet hay cures. Being tightly packed, baled hay acts as an insulator, trapping the heat. If too much heat is generated the hay can begin to smolder and eventually catch fire. Barn fires can result from this spontaneous combustion of damp hay bales tightly packed into an enclosed space.
A moisture content of 18% - 20% is generally considered to be safe for small rectangular bales, with 16% - 18% considered safe for large rectangular or round bales.
This article provides additional information regarding proper moisture content in baled hay: www.equineguelph.ca/pdf/facts...
In this video, we use a moisture meter on some small rectangular bales which felt heavier than most of the ones in the load. Weight can be a useful clue that a bale has a high moisture content because water weighs about 8 pounds per US gallon. Bales which had a high moisture content (over 20%) are still usable but will be stored in a separate location - away from the barn - and used first.
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