One of the most frustrating factors that results in downgraded hay is mold. Not only is it generally less acceptable to livestock, but it can also be less nutritious and cause animal and human health problems. This paper will provide a brief overview of how mold growth occurs, its effect on hay quality, and potential solutions.

2021年2月19日 · Consider having moldy hay tested for mycotoxins. The best approach is to reduce the risk of mold growth by baling at the appropriate moisture. Also, consider preservatives as an option to limit mold growth. Here is to hoping all your hay is …

2021年2月26日 · You have to send a sample to a lab and test for multiple types of mold. It is expensive, but the alternative is to lose livestock or dispose of the hay. Here is a link to Dairy One in New York. The lab is one of the best in the US and they have a …

2023年6月27日 · Mold and bacteria will grow on hay (without preservative added) at moisture levels above 14% to 15%. The mold growth produces heat, carbon dioxide and water, which further damages the hay. Moldy hay can result in dry …

2024年12月24日 · In total, moldy hay can cause a drop in feed intake, low fertility, greater water consumption, poor hair coats, estrogenic imbalances, lameness, poor kidney and liver function, respiratory disease, diarrhea, and colic in horses.

2019年2月12日 · Feeding moldy hay to livestock is a tough decision. Although all hay contains some mold, when mold becomes easily noticeable, the decision becomes important. Usually, mold makes hay less palatable, which can result in lower intake or animals refusing to eat the hay.

In hay, the white mold in the bale is the mycelium and dustiness is from the tiny spores. These mold-produced spores are the "dust." They can cause respiratory problems, especially in horses or other animals fed in poorly ventilated areas.

2019年12月15日 · I think although no totally non invasive one could utilize a hay core sampler AKA probe to take a sample from 1 or more bales for a visual inspection or lab analysis of hay sample. Moldy hay has a distinctive odor.

2012年12月26日 · Depends on what you can dusty too, any hay short of silage will produce dust but abnormal dust is usually mold spores from wet hay. A very slight pat with your hand on a moldy bale sends up a cloud of spores that is what we call dusty hay.

If you have mold in hay, watch for the symptoms mentioned above. If hay is dusty (from mold spores) take care in feeding to sensitive animals and those in areas with poor ventilation.