Why Having Extra Hay on Hand Matters During Dry Weather
When the rain stops, the grass stops too. For anyone feeding horses, goats, cattle, rabbits, or other grazing animals, dry weather is when a well-stocked hay barn pays off.
Dry weather shrinks your pasture first.
Pasture grass slows down or goes dormant when moisture drops. Animals that normally graze most of their meals suddenly need more from you. Hay fills that gap, and the longer the dry spell lasts, the more you’ll rely on it.
Supply tightens and prices climb.
Dry conditions hurt hay growers too. Lower yields mean less hay to go around, and everyone is shopping for it at the same time. Prices rise, and good-quality hay can become hard to find. Buying before the shortage hits lets you lock in better quality at a steadier price instead of scrambling later.
Your animals’ digestion depends on consistency.
Forage is the foundation of a grazing animal’s diet. Sudden changes, like running short and switching to a different hay or a different feed, can cause digestive upset, including colic in horses. A reserve means you can keep their diet steady no matter what the weather does.
Extra hay protects your pasture.
When grass is stressed, grazing it down to the roots can cause damage that takes months to repair. Feeding hay gives pastures time to rest and recover once the rain returns, so you don’t end up reseeding.
How much extra is enough?
A common rule of thumb is that an adult horse eats roughly 1.5 to 2 percent of its body weight in forage per day, which is about 15 to 20 pounds for a 1,000-pound horse. Livestock needs vary by species, size, and season. To build a buffer:
Work out your animals’ daily hay needs.
Multiply by the number of days you’d want to cover. Many owners aim for at least 2 to 4 weeks of reserve, and more if dry spells run long in your area.
Add a margin for waste, since some hay is always lost to trampling and spoilage.
Store it right, or the reserve won’t last.
Extra hay only helps if it stays in good condition:
Keep it off the ground. Use pallets or a raised base to prevent moisture wicking up from below.
Cover it. Protect it from rain and sun, but allow airflow.
Let it breathe. Stack with gaps for ventilation. Damp, tightly packed hay can mold and, in serious cases, heat up and become a fire risk.
Rotate your stock. Use older bales first and keep newer ones in the back.
Inspect regularly. Check for mold, dust, or musty smells before feeding.
Plan ahead with Ohana Farms.
Dry weather is easier to handle when you’ve prepared before it arrives. Whether you need a steady supply or extra stock for the dry months, Ohana Farms is here to help you keep your animals fed and your barn stocked.
Ohana Farms grows alfalfa, timothy and orchard grass hay in Pasco. See what’s in the barn, or contact us to order.
