Young Black Haired Girl At The Haystack

Once hay is cut, dried and raked into windrows, it is usually gathered into bales or bundles, then hauled to a central location for storage. In some places, depending on geography, region, climate, and culture, hay is gathered loose and stacked without being baled first.
Hay must be fully dried when baled and kept dry in storage. If hay is baled while too moist or becomes wet while in storage, there is a significant risk spontaneous combustion. Hay stored outside must be stacked in such a way that moisture contact is minimal. Some stacks are arranged in such a manner that the hay itself "sheds" water when it falls. Other methods stacking use the first layers or bales hay as a cover to protect the rest. To completely keep out moisture, outside haystacks can also be covered by tarps, and many round bales are partially wrapped in plastic as part the baling process. Hay is also stored under a ro when resources permit. It is frequently placed inside sheds, or stacked inside a barn. On the other hand, care must also be taken that hay is never exposed to any possible source heat or flame, as dry hay and the dust it produces are highly flammable.