Why will it catch on fire?
2007-07-23 04:51:39 · 9 answers · asked by L 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Agriculture
High moisture hay can have chemical reactions that build heat. Hay insulates, so the larger the stack and the more tightly the hay is stacked, the less cooling there is to offset the heat.
When the internal temperature of hay rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees C), a chemical reaction begins to produce flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature goes high enough.
Hay fires generally occur within six weeks of baling. Heating occurs in all hay above 15 percent moisture, but generally it peaks at 125 to130 degrees F, within three to seven days, with minimal risk of combustion or forage quality losses. Temperature within a stack then declines to safe levels in the next 15 to 60 days, depending on bale and stack density, ambient temperature and humidity, and rainfall absorbed by the hay.
To avoid hay fires, small, rectangular bales should not exceed 18 to 22 percent moisture, and large round or rectangular bales should not exceed 16 to 18 percent moisture for safe storage.
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/ag/hayfire.html
2007-07-23 06:04:05 · answer #1 · answered by john h 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
A mold in the wet hay causes an exothermic decomposition of the hay. If that exotherm reaches a critical temperature the hay can catch fire.
2007-07-24 16:44:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mark A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the hay is still freshly cut, you risk the possibility of spontaneous combustion. Hay, no matter how fresh nor how long in the field will more than likely go bad in a very short time due to mold and mildew if it is baled and stored wet.
2007-07-23 05:00:19 · answer #3 · answered by OE 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the wet hay will start decomposing and it produces heat and if the heat gets hot enough it will catch the dry hay on fire here is ome thing for you to try next time you cut your grass rake it in to a pile and wait 1 hour and then go out and put your hand in to the middle of it and see how warm it is
2007-07-23 09:48:05 · answer #4 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is trying to compost. I bought a load lot once and he delivered when I was not at home, I checked it and had some bales so hot I could not stick my hand in them. I stopped payment on my check and it took him over a week to come and pick it up. It can also make your animals sick if they eat it, it molds. It will burn your barn down to the ground.
2007-07-23 04:59:52 · answer #5 · answered by lilabner 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
besides a fire hazard you will loose all the nutritional benefits for your livestock....I dont know anyone who puts up wet hay
2007-07-25 05:56:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll turn mouldy
no good for fodder
2007-07-23 08:25:41 · answer #7 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will mold.
2007-07-23 12:51:08 · answer #8 · answered by RT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it will not.
2007-07-25 18:30:24 · answer #9 · answered by Dr. Eddie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋