Farmers and ranchers who feed livestock throughout the winter know how important hay storage is. The food that's stored in your pole barn is used to feed your horses, cows, sheep, or goats for several months. To help you get the most out of your livestock feed, follow these tips to store your hay properly in the colder season.

How to Improve Winter Hay Storage

1. Leave Room on All Sides

If confined, hay can start to rot, so you should allow space on all sides for air to circulate. It may be tempting to stack your pole barn as much as possible, but hay that's next to a wall or the roof may become soggy. Give your hay room to breathe to prevent it from going bad.

2. Store Indoors

To protect your hay from rain, sleet, and snow, store it inside a pole barn, hay shed, or other building. This will keep it dry, safe, and out of the wind. Failure to store it properly can lead to a reduction of nutritional value or even mold growth. If you don't have access to a pole barn, cover the bales with plastic sheeting to keep out the elements. 

3. Ventilate Your Barn

Indoor storage offers its own challenges, including excess heat buildup. If the temperature gets too hot, your hay could spontaneously ignite and start a fire, so adequate ventilation is key. Install roof vents or cupolas, or even invest in a ventilation fan tied to a thermostat. This will automatically kick on and remove hot air when the temperature reaches a certain level.

To purchase a pole barn, pole shed, or other type of metal building for winter hay storage, contact H & H Metal Products LLC in Savannah, TN. They’ve been serving customers throughout the Tri-State area for over 30 years as the region's premier residential metal roofing supply company. Visit their website to reach out online or call (731) 925-1922 to request a pole barn price estimate.