BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 24, 2021
Moisture and hay are sworn enemies. Not only will wet hay grow mold that can be unhealthy for farm animals, but the microbial activity can generate so much heat that the bales will light on fire. Every farmers’ worst nightmare is to wake up to see their barn aflame due to a damp bale of hay. Sprinkling salt over bales of hay is a tradition some farmers have used for added assurance that the moisture is drawn out of their hay. However, scientists and farmers who use this practice agree that no amount of salt can replace the value of quality, well-dried bale — especially when it comes to spontaneous combustion.