ONEIDA CO., N.Y. — Did you know that you should store your hay at least 100 feet away from the horse barn and that you should check your hay regularly? If you detect a slight caramel odor or distinct musty smell your hay may be heating up? Hay can sometimes spontaneously ignite.
Excessive moisture is the most common cause of hay fires. Odd as it might seem, wet hay is more likely to lead to a spontaneous-combustion fire than dry hay.
High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat. Hay insulates, so the larger the haystack, the less cooling that occurs to offset the heat. When hay’s internal temperature rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), a chemical reaction begins to produce flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature goes high enough.
Fire is possible in hay that’s loose, in small or large bales or stacks, and stored inside or outside.
If you are a 4-H Member involved in one of our Horse or Dairy Bowl challenges, then these are just a few of the questions, answers and topics you would be studying over the next few months.
Youth along with volunteer leaders will gather at several locations in January and February, to learn and challenge themselves on species related topics. There is no need to have a horse or dairy cow to participate in these quiz bowl games. Teams are created based on previous participation and knowledge levels: novice, junior and senior. Ultimately Oneida County 4-H Youth will compete against their peers from neighboring counties at District events, then at State events and finally at National quiz bowl competitions.
If you know a youth that would like to join 4-H and participate on our Horse or Dairy Bowl teams please call 315-736-3394.
–Cornell Cooperative Oneida County
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