Preserving Hay Quality Despite High Moisture Content

Preserving hay quality is essential for farmers who produce feed for their livestock or sell quality and nutritional hay to customers. Whether it's for the farmers’ livestock feed or others, the efficiency of hay preservation methods directly impacts farm productivity and animal nutrition. While hay quality can be influenced by several factors, moisture is likely the most important. Case IH’s ThirtyPlus™ Hay Preservative prevents spoilage of valuable hay crops and maximizes the number of acres baled per day with a chemically buffered form of propionic acid.

Understanding the Importance of Hay Preservation
The moisture content of hay can greatly impact its nutritional value and palatability for livestock. Hay baled at greater than 15% moisture runs the risk of spoilage, which can result in nutrient loss and pose a health risk for livestock due to the growth of mold and bacteria. If hay is too dry, the forage may shatter during raking and baling.

Baling hay at the perfect time is difficult. Hay producers often run into issues with hay being too wet in spots or morning dew delaying the day’s start time. For peace of mind and extended hours in the field, employing the use of hay preservative helps hay producers have confidence in their hay quality and storability. Hay baled with a preservative application prevents heat buildup during storage and ensures the nutritional integrity is retained and the hay remains free of harmful contaminants and potential combustion.

Case IH’s ThirtyPlus Hay Preservative
Designed to enhance hay quality, ThirtyPlus utilizes an advanced formulation to effectively inhibit mold and yeast growth while maintaining the natural color and aroma of hay. ThirtyPlus treats hay at moistures up to 30% and works well on all types of hay, including alfalfa, grass and other crops susceptible to spoilage at higher moisture levels. Activate the following benefits with ThirtyPlus:

1. Livestock safety: ThirtyPlus employs an active ingredient of propionic acid, an organic acid occurring naturally in a horse’s gastrointestinal tract. In ruminants, propionic acid is produced by rumen bacteria and is beneficial in the digestive process.

2. Moisture management: Excessive moisture content in hay can lead to heating and mold formation. ThirtyPlus allows you to harvest hay at up to 30% moisture without the risk of heating or spoilage, preserving the forage's nutritional value.

3. Extend the baling window: A ThirtyPlus application allows you to bale hay, even when the dew is on. Extend the baling window while the dew is burning off in the morning or as the dew sets in in the evening.

4. Cost-effective solution: By preserving hay quality and minimizing spoilage, ThirtyPlus helps farmers maximize their hay yield and minimize waste. This cost-effective solution contributes to overall farm profitability while ensuring high-quality forage for livestock.

5. Equipment safety: With a pH of 6.0, as neutral as rainwater yet just as effective as straight propionic acid, the ingredients in ThirtyPlus will not cause corrosion on your baling equipment.

6. Easy application: Case IH's ThirtyPlus is designed for convenient application and is available in four sizes for any baling operation size. Its user-friendly nature allows farmers to efficiently treat large or small quantities of hay, ensuring consistent preservation across their entire harvest. Tanks and saddles are easy to install, operate and service while automatic applicator moisture sensors accurately read moisture percentages in real time, adjusting application rates every three seconds to match hay conditions.

ThirtyPlus Integration on Your Operation
Preserving hay quality is essential for ensuring the nutritional well-being of livestock and optimizing farm productivity. Case IH's ThirtyPlus Hay Preservative is a reliable solution, leveraging advanced formulation to inhibit microbial growth, manage moisture levels and preserve the natural characteristics of hay. By integrating ThirtyPlus into hay preservation practices, farmers can safeguard their harvests, minimize waste and deliver high-quality forage for their animals.