Calling all trekkies (science nerds/geeks!): Treated hay

[freemotion]

Anyone hear of this?: http://www.harvesttec.com/pdfs/newholland/PM-13722 New Holland.pdf

My new hay supplier, also a client, was in today and all excited about his new equipment. He sprays the hay with propionic acid and citric acid and it dries faster and is far less likely to get moldy, and loses less color and nutrition with less time on the field. Supposedly the stuff evaporates....I know nothing of this substance. The literature says it is all wonderful-wonderful-wonderful.....but they also still say that about RoundUp!

Found this, too: "Products now marketed are buffered to a pH of 5.8 - 6.0 with ammonium hydroxide."

Science nerds, what do you know about this?

 

[ksalvagno]

I don't have anything scientific for you but when I asked my alpaca vet about the stuff, she said to stay away from it. She said babies could be affected by it. She didn't hear of adults being affected but she didn't like chemicals being put on hay. I wasn't too keen on it anyway so I didn't buy it.

 

[freemotion]

I was just stunned when he was telling me about it....I never imagined that someone would come up with a way to ruin HAY!!! Now I have to find a new supplier....but I like this guy, and his wife and family. They think like most farmers, though, chemicals, chemicals, chemicals. Nice people, I hope I don't insult him too much. He has some first cut alfalfa mix that he didn't chemicalize, since he cut it before he had this new equipment....will that be good for my goats? Someone told me that second cut was the thing to get, but I admit that I'm not really sure....

 

[miss_thenorth]

We had the opportunity to buy treated hay last year. Then I talked to another horse lady, and she said it would cause ulcers in the horses. We ended up buying other hay, and didn't look into it any further.

I stuck with my theory that natural was better and thought no more about it.

I would be interested to hear what others say/know about it.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

wow! not sure i'd get the treated hay either.. but as far as smarty pants go... do you know Guinea Goonie over on BYC?

s/he is in the chem field and is very knowledgeable.

and if you want some yucks the funniest post/reply i ever saw was his reply re: WD-40 here:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=33903&p=6

every once is a while i read it just to snort my coffee up thru my nose. then me and the dogs act out the scene between GG and whoever was tossing a fit over WD40.

anyway.....

 

[ksalvagno]

The only reason most people say second cutting hay is because it is softer and more nutritious. First cutting hay is usually more stemy and doesn't taste as good to the animals. I bought some beautiful first cutting hay one year for my alpacas. It was even very soft and green and smelled great. Alpacas wasted more than they ate and just refused to eat it. I have never bought 1st cutting again although I may buy a little first cutting hay this year and see how they do.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

wow! not sure i'd get the treated hay either.. but as far as smarty pants go... do you know Guinea Goonie over on BYC?

s/he is in the chem field and is very knowledgeable.

and if you want some yucks the funniest post/reply i ever saw was his reply re: WD-40 here:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=33903&p=6

every once is a while i read it just to snort my coffee up thru my nose. then me and the dogs act out the scene between GG and whoever was tossing a fit over WD40.

anyway.....

OMG !!!!!!! ROTFLMBOOO!!

 

[freemotion]

Love it! I PM'd him, hopefully he will reply. Meanwhile, I know there are many nerds here......waiting.....waiting.....waiting.....

 

[abifae]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propanoic_acid

it causes acne in the human skin LOL.

from a govvie forum pushing and approving the use

Cautions

There is a "learning curve" for a high batting-average when making "no rain, mould-free" hay. Although a useful and successful tool, the use of propionic acid will add to that learning curve. Errors can result in mouldy hay, or even worse, a dangerously heating mow.

Application at the correct and uniform rate is key. Uneven windrows or fields with wet spots will not have uniform moisture. Use a moisture tester to determine application rate, using the highest reading. If you use the average reading, you won't get enough acid on much of the hay to prevent spoilage. Spraying should be as uniform as possible to ensure good coverage.

Hay can still heat and become mouldy and discoloured if inadequate acid is applied. Tightly stacked bales in a confined area don't allow the bales to "sweat" and cure. The acid can dissipate in 4-6 months, which may be before hay moisture is low enough if conditions are unfavourable. Extended periods of high humidity will extend the curing time. Don't store treated and untreated dry hay in direct contact with each other as the moisture will migrate to the dry hay.

Some horse owners aren't comfortable feeding acid treated hay and prefer not to purchase it. There may initially be some propionic odour in the hay until it has dissipated. Be sure to inform hay buyers that propionic acid has been applied.

from the chemical listing website (however this IS for using large amounts in a lab and the dose makes the toxin).

DANGER! CORROSIVE. CAUSES BURNS TO ANY AREA OF CONTACT. FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN.

SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 3 - Severe (Life)
Flammability Rating: 2 - Moderate
Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
Contact Rating: 3 - Severe (Corrosive)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Causes irritation with unpleasant choking odor. Causes coughing and sneezing, possibly breathing difficulties in large amounts.
Ingestion:
Material causes irritation and burns to digestive tract. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Skin Contact:
Causes severe irritation. May have corrosive effects, producing skin burns. Skin absorption may occur with toxic effects.
Eye Contact:
Corrosive. Causes severe eye irritation and burns. May cause redness, pain, blurred vision, and eye damage.
Chronic Exposure:
May cause breathing difficulties.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

 

[Wifezilla]

Well, I am a nerd, but not about those particular chemicals.

If you had the time, money and extra animals it would be cool to do a study.

I am kind of doing that with my ducks by feeding them game bird feed. If conventional wisdom was correct, the high protein percentage should leave me with ducks suffering from angel wing. Of course I think conventional wisdom is crap and none of my last 2 batches of ducks developed it.