Fires that damage or destroy hay and barns — resulting in building replacement, feed replacement and lost revenues — cost area farmers thousands of dollars each year.
According to Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist, University of Missouri Extension, proper harvesting and storage practices will reduce the possibility of hay fires and reduce the associated costs.
Schultheis says that hay fires usually occur within six weeks of baling because the most common cause is excessive moisture.
Reviewed 2013-01-23