Hay Storage & Hay Quality Guide for Fall: How to Inspect, Store & Protect Your Hay for Winter in Atlantic Canada

As summer winds down, many livestock and horse owners shift their focus toward one of the most important jobs of the season—preparing hay for fall and winter. 

Whether you’re feeding a few backyard sheep, a small family horse barn, or a commercial cattle operation, the quality of the hay you store this fall will directly impact the health of your animals throughout the winter months. 

Atlantic Canada’s unpredictable weather brings unique challenges. Late summer humidity, hurricane season, and early fall rain can quickly turn quality hay into wasted feed if it isn’t stored correctly. 

Here’s how to evaluate your hay, improve storage conditions, and ensure your livestock have a safe, nutritious feed supply all winter long. 

 

Why Hay Quality Matters 

Hay isn’t just filler—it’s often the primary source of fiber and nutrition for livestock throughout the winter.
Poor-quality hay can result in: 

• Weight loss
• Reduced milk production 
• Lower body condition 
• Increased feed waste 
• Respiratory issues from mold or dust 
• Digestive problems
  Taking the time to inspect your hay now can prevent costly problems later in the season. 

 

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Hay Supply
Before purchasing additional hay, take inventory of what you already have. 

Ask yourself: 

• How many bales remain? 
• Are they dry and well stored? 
• Has any hay become moldy or weather damaged? 
• Will your current inventory last until spring?
  Many producers underestimate winter feed requirements. 

As a general guideline, horses and livestock consume approximately 2–3% of their body weight daily in forage, depending on species, age, workload, and production stage. 

If your numbers look tight, now is the time to secure additional hay before supplies become limited. 

 

Step 2: Check Every Bale 

Not all hay is created equal.
When evaluating square or round bales, inspect for: 

• Color: Good hay should remain green to light green. Excessively brown or faded hay may have lost valuable nutrients. 

• Smell: Quality hay has a fresh, sweet smell. 

Avoid hay that smells: Musty, Sour, Damp, Mold; These are signs moisture has entered the bale. 

• Texture: Hay should feel dry and springy—not wet or slimy. Overly dusty hay can contribute to respiratory irritation, especially in horses. 

• Watch for Mold: Never feed moldy hay. Mold spores may not always be visible but can seriously affect horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and other livestock. 

Look for: 

• White or grey fuzzy patches
• Black discoloration
• Excessive heating 
• Damp pockets within round bales
  When in doubt, don’t feed questionable hay. 

 

Step 3: Inspect Your Hay Storage Area 

Your barn protects more than your equipment—it protects your winter feed investment.
Late summer is the perfect time to inspect your storage before fall weather arrives. 

Walk through your hay storage and check for: 

• Roof leaks
• Missing shingles 
• Loose metal roofing 
• Soft spots in the ceiling 
• Wet walls 
• Broken siding 
• Cracked foundations allowing water inside 

Atlantic Canada often experiences tropical storms and hurricanes well into the fall. 

One unnoticed roof leak can ruin dozens of bales during a single heavy rain event.
Repair these issues before your barn is full for winter. 

 

Step 4: Make Airflow a Priority 

Even perfectly dry hay needs ventilation.
Without proper airflow, moisture becomes trapped, increasing the risk of: 

• Mold 
• Heating 
• Spoilage 
• Fire hazards 

For best results: 

• Leave space between stacks and walls. 
• Keep aisles open for air movement. 
• Avoid packing bales too tightly. 
• Open barn doors on dry days to improve ventilation. 
• Use fans where natural airflow is limited. 
• Round bales stored outside should never sit directly on the ground.
  Use pallets, crushed stone, or a well-drained pad to reduce moisture absorption from below. 

 

Step 5: Store Hay Off the Floor 

Ground moisture slowly moves upward into stored hay. Even concrete floors can transfer moisture over time. 

Use: 

• Wooden pallets
• Landscape timbers 
• Railroad ties 
• Hay racks 
• Keeping hay elevated improves airflow underneath while reducing spoilage. 

 

Step 6: Rotate Older Hay First 

Practice “first in, first out.”
Use older hay before newly harvested bales. This helps maintain feed quality while reducing unnecessary waste.
Mark different hay lots or harvest dates if possible, to make rotation easier throughout winter. 

 

Step 7: Plan Before Supplies Tighten 

Many Atlantic Canadian producers begin purchasing winter hay in late summer and early fall.
Waiting until the first snowfall—or after a poor second cut—can mean: 

• Higher prices 
• Limited selection 
• Longer delivery times 
• Lower-quality hay 

If your inventory appears short, don’t wait until October or November to start looking. Planning ahead gives you more options and helps avoid emergency purchases later in the season. 

 

 A Few Minutes Today Can Save You All Winter 

Hay is one of the biggest investments many farms make each year. 

Spending an afternoon inspecting your hay, repairing storage areas, and calculating your winter feed requirements can prevent unnecessary waste and help keep your animals healthy throughout the colder months. 

Whether you’re feeding two backyard goats or managing a barn full of horses, proper hay storage is one of the simplest ways to protect both your animals and your investment. 

At Feeds’n Needs, we’re here to help you prepare for the season ahead with quality livestock feeds, horse nutrition, minerals, bedding, feeders, and the supplies you need for a successful fall and winter. 

Visit your local Feeds’n Needs store and let our team help you get ready before winter arrives.