The temperature of these hay bales, stacks, and barns can get very hot. In extreme cases, it can get so hot that the bales can catch on fire, even without a spark (i.e., spontaneous combustion).

Even hay baled between 15%-20% moisture will experience what is known as “sweating.” Sweating, in regard to hay bales, refers to microbial respiration, which will create heat and result in dry matter ...

“When companion-planted with alfalfa, for example, it serves as an excellent nurse crop, and provides desired moisture wicking when harvesting dry hay, while adding feed quality to the mix. Plus, it ...