Hay Handling & Storage

The quality of hay can also be affected by how the hay is harvested, handled, and stored. To preserve nutrients after cutting, hay should cure as quickly as possible. We harvest our fields with a mower conditioner, because conditioning at the time of mowing decreases drying time and exposure to the damaging effects of sunlight. Once it's cured to the proper moisture content, the hay should be taken from the field and stored in a dry, protected area. Our baling tractor is equipped with an in-cab moisture checker to ensure hay free of mold and dust. Another tractor, equipped with a 12-bale grapple hook, follows the baler and securely picks up bales for quick storage of the fresh hay into one of our barns. This hands-off approach gives the added benefit of reducing leaf damage and allows us to harvest hay efficiently while maintaining control of the quality and timing of the harvest. Furthermore, the facilities at Wagon Wheel Ranch give us the ability to protect and store the hay efficiently, and our customers benefit from having a year-round supply of quality hay at an affordable price.