Stay Informed

“The new-mown hay sends all its fragrance,” according to the song “Back Home Again in Indiana.”

And that is true. But all that new-mown hay has to be baled and stored on Indiana farms, and with that comes the risk of hay fires. 

Hay fires strike farms every year, destroying hay, barns, equipment and livestock.  One of the largest causes of these fires is spontaneous combustion.

The heat produced in hay is a natural process of respiration known as “sweating” or “curing.” Spontaneous combustion occurs when hay reaches an excessively high temperature.  One of the easiest methods to prevent spontaneous combustion is to ensure that hay is baled at the proper moisture level.

Once hay has been baled, proper monitoring of hay and hay temperatures are critical to prevent the spontaneous combustion and hay fires. Hay should be monitored for six weeks after baling.

Some other safe practices for storing hay are:

• Don’t pack bales so tightly that airflow is limited.
• Use pallets, wood or gravel to raise the haystack off the ground to prevent wicking from ground moisture and to increase airflow.
• Absolutely no smoking around any areas where hay is stored, and no open burning or flames around hay storage areas. 

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance has prepared a flyer to help farmers reduce the risk of hay fires. For more tips and safety practices contact your local Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent and ask to receive a copy of “Preventing Hay Fires.”