GRADE 9 Agriculture CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES – CONSERVING ANIMAL FEED:HAY Notes

Agriculture — Conservation of Resources

Subtopic: Conserving animal feed — Hay

What is hay?
Hay is dried grass and legumes stored as animal feed. It keeps feed quality for months when made and stored properly. Farmers in Kenya use hay to feed animals in dry seasons when green pasture is scarce.

Why make hay?

• Saves money and reduces feed shortages in the dry season.
• Keeps nutritious feed available for dairy cows, goats, sheep and young stock.
• Allows surplus grass at the rainy season to be conserved rather than wasted.

Common Kenyan grasses & legumes used for hay

• Napier (elephant grass) — good yield, common near farms.
• Rhodes grass — good for hay when cut at the right time.
• Kikuyu — used where it grows well.
• Brachiaria / Star grass — also used.
• Legumes (e.g., desmodium, clovers) — mix with grasses to increase protein.

When to cut for good hay

• Cut at early flowering — just before the plant becomes too stemmy. This keeps leaves and nutrition high.
• For fast-growing grasses like Napier, this is often around 6–8 weeks after regrowth (depends on rain and soil).
• Avoid cutting too late — stems lower feeding value and make coarse hay.

How to make hay — simple steps for smallholders

1. Cut the grass early in the morning when dry (or late afternoon). Use a sickle or mower.
2. Wilt the cut grass on the ground in thin layers — let it dry in the sun. Turn it every few hours so drying is even.
3. Rake into windrows (rows) when partly dry so the centre can dry too. This helps collection and baling.
4. Test moisture before storage — hay should be dry enough (see below).
5. Bale or bundle by hand and tie with twine. Smallholders can make small tight bundles and stack them.
6. Store on a raised platform, under a cover, with space for air to move (ventilation).

How dry should hay be? (Moisture rules)

Good hay moisture: about 12–15%. Do not store hay if moisture is above 18% — mould and heating start to form. If bales are stored moist, they may heat up and cause loss or even start a fire.

Easy moisture checks (no lab needed)

• Feel test: squeeze a handful — it should feel dry and crumbly, not warm or damp.
• Twist test: twist a stem — it should snap, not bend like fresh grass.
• Hand bite test: bite a small stem — it should be dry and not have a wet taste.

Storage tips (protect quality)

• Store on pallets, poles or a raised rack so moisture from the ground does not soak in.
• Cover with a tarpaulin or thatch roof but allow air to circulate — do not seal tightly while hay is warm.
• Stack bales in a pyramid or cross-stacked way to improve airflow and stability.
• Keep hay away from animals and rodents. Use tight stacking and clean surroundings to reduce pests.
• Check stored hay regularly for heat, mould, or bad smell. Remove spoiled hay immediately.

Signs of poor hay (do not feed)

• Mouldy, musty smell or visible grey/black patches.
• Hay feels warm (heating) — sign it was packed too wet.
• Large numbers of insects or rodents.
• Discoloured or dusty hay (possible spoilage).

Hay safety — what to do if hay heats up

• If a bale feels warm, separate it from the stack and open it to cool. Do not put on fire — heating can be dangerous.
• Wet, mouldy hay should be discarded or used carefully (not for milking animals).
• Prevent heating by only baling when hay is dry and by storing with good ventilation.

Improving hay quality (simple farm ideas)

• Include legumes (desmodium, clovers) in the cutting — higher protein for milk and growth.
• Cut earlier when grasses are leafy rather than stemmy.
• Turn hay often during wilting so it dries evenly.
• Avoid cutting after heavy dew or rain unless you can dry it well.

Example feeding calculations (easy)

Use these as simple guides — actual need depends on animal size, production and condition.

• Dairy cow (about 500 kg): needs about 2–3% of body weight in dry matter per day. That is about 10–15 kg dry matter. If hay dry matter is 85%, feed ≈ 12–18 kg hay per day.
• Goat (40 kg): needs about 2–3% of body weight → ≈ 0.8–1.2 kg dry matter per day → ≈ 1–1.4 kg hay (if hay dry matter ≈85%).

Tools and materials small farmers use

• Sickle or scythe for cutting.
• Rake for turning and windrowing.
• Twine or baling rope for tying bundles.
• Tarpaulin or simple shed for storage.
• Pallets or poles to raise the hay off the ground.

Simple checklist before storing hay

• Was hay cut at the right stage? (early flowering)
• Has the hay been dried and feels dry to touch?
• Is storage place raised, dry and ventilated?
• Is there cover to protect hay from rain but still allow air movement?

Quick tips for Kenyan smallholders

• Save leaf-rich grasses (Napier mixed with desmodium) for dairy animals.
• Make small bundles if you do not have a baler — easier to handle and dry faster.
• Store near the animal housing but not inside to reduce fire and pest risk.
• Plan: cut and conserve extra feed during the rains for the dry season.

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Remember: Making good hay saves money and keeps animals healthy during dry months. Start small, practice the drying and storage steps, and check your hay often.

Prepared for age: 14 • Context: Kenya • Subject: Agriculture