How Smoke, Dust, and Weather Affect Hay Quality
What happens when environmental conditions strike?
When you invest in quality hay for your livestock, you're not just buying feed — you're supporting your animals' health, performance, and well-being. But what happens when environmental conditions like smoke, dust, or unexpected weather events come into play?
At Tice Farms, we’re no strangers to the challenges nature throws at hay production. In this post, we’ll break down how these elements affect hay quality — and what you (and we) can do to protect your animals and their feed.
The Impact of Smoke on Hay
Wildfires and large-scale burns are becoming more common in many regions. Even if flames aren’t nearby, smoke can settle on crops during crucial curing and baling stages. While smoke alone doesn’t make hay toxic, it can reduce palatability, especially in horses, and compromise the aroma livestock rely on for feeding.
What We Do:
We monitor air quality during cutting and baling. If smoke exposure is unavoidable, we’ll delay the harvest until the hay can be cured in cleaner conditions. We also take extra care in storage to keep hay as clean and dry as possible.
What You Can Do:
Check hay for a smoky smell or discoloration.
Offer clean water and limit other dusty feeds to reduce respiratory stress.
Use smoked hay for less sensitive animals (e.g., cattle vs. horses).
Dust: More Than Just a Nuisance
Dust in hay can come from dry field conditions, soil contamination during baling, or poorly ventilated storage. Excessive dust can cause respiratory issues, especially in horses and small livestock.
What We Do:
We aim for minimal disturbance to soil during harvest and use clean, dry baling techniques. Bales are stored in a covered, well-ventilated hay yard to avoid excess dust accumulation.
What You Can Do:
Shake out hay before feeding to release loose particles.
Feed outdoors or in well-ventilated barns.
Consider soaking hay for horses with respiratory sensitivities.
Weather Woes: Rain, Humidity, and Mold Risk
One of the most significant threats to hay quality is unexpected rainfall or high humidity during curing. Moisture at the wrong time can lead to mold growth, fermentation, and nutrient loss — all of which can affect feed value and animal health.
What We Do:
We follow weather patterns closely to avoid cutting just before storms. If a crop gets wet, we’ll assess its suitability for lower-risk livestock or compost it entirely if quality is compromised.
What You Can Do:
Always store hay off the ground and under cover.
Inspect bales for heat, moisture, and odor before feeding.
Never feed visibly moldy hay, especially to horses.
Bottom Line: Nature Plays a Role — But So Do We
You can’t control the weather, but you can choose a hay supplier who knows how to work with it. At Tice Farms, we put in the time, tools, and testing to ensure your hay is safe, nutritious, and consistent — even when nature makes it difficult.
Have questions about your current feed or need advice on storing hay through tough conditions? Give us a call or stop by — we’re always happy to help.
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