How to Salt hay/salting hay in Northern Maine

#Salting #hay is an age old practice. using salt on hay that is kept in a small area will keep it from molding.
#salt (#sodium chloride) can be effective in inhibiting growth of mold organisms in hay. In earlier days, the practice was not uncommon for small rectangular bales. After stacking a layer of bales, usually with the edge facing up, salt was broadcast over the surface before proceeding to the next layer. Salting was sometimes done on only the topmost layer or two of the entire stack. This is where mold is most likely because bales normally undergo a process called sweating in which a slight temperature elevation evaporates excess moisture. This warm, moistened air moves upward through the stack. Some of this excess moisture tends to condense on the upper bales because air outside the stack is cooler.
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[@ednabailey1634]

Salting was used to prevent hay with a tad more moisture content than preferable from spontaneous combustion--so yes I guess you could say hay that doesn't burn up in a fire is better preserved.

[@TiltonsHeritagePastures]

Salting is a great way to preserve hay as it draws moisture out.

[@RobinsTinyHomestead]

I love how the two of you are working together. I learned something new about keeping my hay dry. It was funny when you said the animals like the salt in. I was thinking as your feeding them they would be saying can we have a little pepper too lol. Really enjoyed your video :-):-):-)

[@TiltonsHeritagePastures]

Thank you! I bet they would like a little pepper:) we are so glad you take the time to watch our videos.

[@JasonStPierre]

So, it's like making Triscuits! I like my fiber with some salt.
I also had never heard of this but seems like a very good way to control moisture.
The only thing i'm wondering now is the effect of the flooring nails. I imagine well galvanized nails are fine and the common fastener in barn construction.
Saw the comment on controlling spontaneous combustion too, clever.

[@fivetopsfarm8061]

That's cool. I had never heard of it before.

[@TiltonsHeritagePastures]

Thank you, we did the video because so many people haven’t heard of hay salting. Hopefully it helps other homesteaders!

[@jeffhuntley2921]

27 in a truck bed is better than I’ve done

[@deanreed8386]

You should stack them in bath on edge with cut side up. Then salt if hay is tuff

[@outlawfarms6961]

Can you use pool salt

[@TiltonsHeritagePastures]

I’ve heard of people using Morton’s pool salt. I can’t say whether it’s edible or ok for livestock. We just purchase crushed feed salt from the local ag store.

[@outlawfarms6961]

@@TiltonsHeritagePastures results from using pool salt it worked great & horses are all safe & made it through the winter well

[@TiltonsHeritagePastures]

@@outlawfarms6961 that’s great info!

[@outlawfarms6961]

@@TiltonsHeritagePastures your welcome always trying to learn new (old ways) to do things.