How to Build a Hay Ring

Stretch your hay

Cattle and horses like few things more than a fresh hay bale, but their excitement can led to waste as hay gets pushed and trampled underfoot. Using a hay ring is an affordable way to limit hay loss and extend hay life.

Things You'll Need

• 3 stock panels
• Wire cutter
• 9 lengths of wire, 1/2 foot
• Loader tractor
• One round bale
• Scissors

Instructions

1. 

   Move livestock into another yard.

   Move livestock into another yard. Locate a level, clear area to place the bale. With a loader tractor, drop the bale several times to loosen the hay and provide the animals with better access. Place bale with flat side down. Cut the bale twine.

2. 

   Contruct the hay ring

   Place the three stock panels in a triangle formation around the bale. Wire the panels together, placing a length of wire at the top, middle and bottom of each connecting panel. The panels should fit tightly against the bale.

3. 

   Add another bale

   Disassemble the hay ring and repeat the above steps, but with one exception: Move the location of the bale to a new, dry area.

Tips & Warnings

• For larger animals (bulls or studs), consider using chains instead of wire to secure the panels.

• By moving the hay ring for each new bale, the area will remain drier and decrease the chance of foot rot.

• This hay ring example is a cheap solution to hay loss. More detailed versions are available for purchase or require more complex instructions; however, this is a quick solution using materials most ranchers have available.

• Check hay and animals daily. Animals can become caught in the panel bars, especially if they have horns, and may require your assistance.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Reducing Losses when Feeding Hay to Beef Cattle