With the dry spell experienced back in June many took the opportunity to make the most of the favourable weather and cut for early hay. Although the temperatures were good, not everywhere experienced days of direct sunshine leaving the cut grass to be dried more by the warmth and the wind.
June hay always requires that bit longer to make due to higher moisture content. In recent years harvests have proved difficult to plan for leading towards an increase in 'snatch' harvests, grabbing the opportunity to cut and bale between periods of unsettled weather.
Anyone who has concerns about bales already in storage overheating can request a FREE visit from the Fire Service to carry out Bale Temperature Testing, bales can begin heating within days of being brought in and previous years we have seen a peak in barn fires approximately 6 weeks following storage, with the big square bales being the most problematic.
Symptoms of overheating bales may include:
-Steam emanating from the stack
-Mould forming on or around gaps in the bales
-Warm and damp to touch, especially inside the bale or inside gaps between bales
-Bales sweating excessively
-Discolouration/browning of the bales, browned material becoming like tobacco
-Sweet, sickly or musty smell
-Stack sinking
It is recommended that hay/straw should be below 22% moisture before being brought in for storage, ideally around the 15% region anything greater than this can begin a chain reaction where the bales will self sustain their own heat generation to a point where they eventually self combust.
If anyone wishes to request a FREE bale temperature test this can be done by contacting the Fire Service directly on 01268 909408, however anyone with immediate concerns that the bales are nearing combustion they must call 999 immediately.