Hay fires on the rise

Haystack fire incidence skyrocketed last year. Over 500 occurrences were reported in New South Wales alone, and many more were accounted for around Australia. The Australian Fodder Industry Association estimates that hay, with a value exceeding $25 million, was destroyed in fires. This figure could be significantly higher if the loss of sheds and machinery were included.

These astonishing statistics come as a timely reminder for farmers to be more aware of their own hay conditions and to take extra precautions to prevent costly hay fires. To follow are some important things to take note of this season.

Spontaneous combustion

Fires can start in loose hay, small bales, large square bales, round bales and stacks. Regardless of when or where hay fires happen, excess moisture is the most common cause. Moisture content varies throughout the day, so don’t just rely on one or two moisture readings, take readings at varying times.

Moisture can be stored in grain heads

The grain head must be fully emerged (fully booted) from sheath prior to cutting. If the grain head is not fully emerged, moisture becomes trapped inside the stem. If the stem is not broken (i.e. by conditioners) moisture will not escape easily and the curing process will take longer.

Super conditioners

A lack of effective hay conditioning may have contributed to the large number of hay fires last year. Super conditioners can help speed up drying rates, produce better quality hay and manage weather risks by mechanically crimping crop stems. This breaks up the waxy cuticle layer surrounding the stem, effectively evaporating plant moisture and reducing curing time in the swath.

The importance of curing

The curing process is the key element to stopping spontaneous combustion. However the curing time depends on density, size of nodes, condition of hay, size of windrow, and weather conditions. The only true curing test available to farmers is the “hammer test” (i.e. squashing the node and looking for any moisture from the crushed node). If any moisture appears, this hay is not ready for baling. 

Drought impacts

Weather conditions play an important part in the curing and drying process. Feed test results from drought-affected hay have shown higher sugar content levels in the crop roots. This extra sugar content can increase microbial activity, heating and the chance of spontaneous combustion.

Preservatives reduce risks

Chemical inhibitors, such as propionic acid or potassium carbonate, can reduce the fire risk in wet hay. These work by drying the waxy surface or suppressing the activity of heat generating microbes. Bacterial inoculants can also be used to slow heat generating microbial activity.

Source: Muller. F, 2008, ‘Hay fires burn stacks’, Farming Ahead, No. 202, p. 56.

Insurance essentials

Take care not to store fertiliser, fuel, chemicals or power sources (such as batteries) alongside hay. This could dramatically increase the size of losses and inconvenience to you; and the fumes from the chemicals can be a safety risk for fire fighters.

As well as taking steps to prevent the risk of haystack fires, you should ensure you have the right level of insurance protection just in case the unthinkable happens. It is a good time to check your insurance policies to ensure your hay, hay sheds and machinery are adequately covered.

If you would like to review your insurance policies or you would like further information about our products, contact your WFI local Area Manager on 1300 934 934. Or alternatively you can visit www.wfi.com.au.


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