A Simple Method of Making Hay for Smallholder Dairy Farmers
A Simple Method of Making Hay for Smallholder Dairy Farmers
By Newton Adera
Making hay is one of the practical technologies used for conserving livestock feed. It helps farmers preserve forage for periods when fresh feed is scarce and contributes to a more reliable supply of feed throughout the year.
For smallholder dairy farmers in tropical regions, maintaining an adequate quantity and quality of feed throughout the year can be a major challenge. Seasonal feed shortages can reduce livestock productivity, particularly when pasture and other sources of fresh forage become limited.For more ideas on planning a dairy farm’s feeding and housing facilities, see my practical guide to How To Construct A Zero-Grazing Unit
Crop residues and some tropical grasses can also have relatively low nutritional value, particularly when they are harvested or managed poorly. Proper forage conservation, together with appropriate supplementation and ration management, can therefore play an important role in dairy production.
One practical option available to farmers is hay making.
What Is Hay?
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Hay is forage that has been harvested and dried sufficiently for safe storage and later feeding to livestock.
Instead of allowing surplus grass produced during periods of good rainfall to go to waste, farmers can conserve it as hay and use it when pasture and other green feeds become scarce.
Requirements for Hay Making
For the simple pit or hay-box method described in this guide, you will need:
- Boma Rhodes grass or another suitable nutritious grass
- Sisal twine or another strong binding material
- Four wooden pegs
- A hoe, jembe or suitable digging tool
- A small rectangular hay pit or hay box
- A well-drained site for the pit
Boma Rhodes grass is a type of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) commonly used as livestock forage in Kenya and other regions. It can be conserved as hay when harvested and cured properly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hay
1. Select and cut the grass
Start by selecting a good stand of Boma Rhodes grass or another suitable forage grass.
Cut the grass at an appropriate stage of maturity and avoid harvesting forage that is contaminated with soil, mould or other undesirable materials.
The stage at which forage is harvested can affect both its yield and nutritional quality. Younger forage generally has better nutritive value, although harvesting too early can reduce the total amount of dry matter obtained.
2. Wilt the grass
After cutting, spread the grass out so that excess moisture can escape.
The objective is to wilt the forage sufficiently before baling or compacting it.
The drying period should not be determined simply by saying that the grass must remain in the sun for one or two weeks. Weather conditions, humidity, forage thickness and ventilation all affect how quickly forage dries.
Current forage-conservation guidance recommends appropriate wilting and avoiding unnecessary prolonged exposure to intense sunlight, which can reduce forage quality.
Farmers should therefore concentrate on achieving properly cured forage rather than following an arbitrary number of drying days.
3. Prepare the hay pit
My original 2014 method described a rectangular pit measuring approximately:
60 cm long × 30 cm wide × 45 cm deep.
This measurement is retained here as part of the original Be The Animal Farmer method.
However, farmers should note that more recent KALRO material describing a similar pit or hay-box method uses a larger pit of approximately 90 cm × 60 cm × 45 cm.
KALRO REQUIRES- CURRENTLY THIS MEASUREMENT
The important principle is to construct a suitable, well-drained space that allows the wilted forage to be compacted and securely tied.
Avoid locations where rainwater can collect.
4. Position the pegs
Place four strong wooden pegs around the pit.
In the original method, the pegs were positioned approximately 15 cm from the corners of the pit.
The pegs provide anchor points for the sisal twine used to tie the compacted forage.
5. Arrange the sisal twine
Place the sisal twine around or across the pit in a way that will allow you to tie the forage after it has been compressed.
Leave sufficient twine extending beyond the working area so that the finished bundle can be tied firmly.
Use strong twine capable of holding the compressed forage together.
6. Fill the pit with wilted grass
Place the wilted Rhodes grass into the pit.
Add the forage gradually, preferably in layers, and press each layer firmly before adding more.
The purpose of pressing the grass is to remove unnecessary air and produce a compact bundle.
Continue filling and pressing until the pit is adequately filled.
7. Compress and tie the hay
After filling the pit, press the grass firmly.
Pull the sisal twine tightly around the compressed forage and tie it securely.
When properly bound, the compressed grass forms a compact hay bundle.
The simple technique does not require expensive hay-baling machinery and can therefore be useful to farmers working with limited resources.
8. Remove and store the hay
Once the bundle has been securely tied, remove it carefully from the pit.
Store the hay in a dry, well-ventilated and protected location.
Keep the hay away from:
- Rain
- Ground moisture
- Standing water
- Direct contact with soil
- Rodents and other pests
- Sources of contamination
Good storage is essential because moisture can encourage mould growth and reduce the quality and safety of the feed.
Why Choose Boma Rhodes Grass?
Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) is an important forage grass for livestock production in tropical and subtropical areas.
Boma Rhodes is widely known among Kenyan farmers and can provide useful forage for dairy cattle when properly managed.
The nutritional value of Rhodes grass depends on factors such as:
- Stage of maturity at harvesting
- Fertility of the soil
- Growing conditions
- Harvesting interval
- Drying and storage practices
For this reason, simply producing hay does not guarantee that the resulting feed will meet all the nutritional requirements of a high-producing dairy cow.
The hay should form part of a properly balanced feeding programme.
Can Molasses Be Added?
In the original 2014 article, molasses was mentioned as an additive that could improve intake.
Molasses can be used in livestock feeding, but it should not be regarded as a compulsory ingredient for every bale of hay.
Whether supplementation is necessary depends on the quality of the hay and the complete ration being fed to the animal.
For productive dairy cows, farmers should consider the whole diet, including forage, concentrates, protein sources, minerals and adequate clean drinking water.
Important Hay-Making Tips
To produce good-quality hay, remember these points:
- Harvest suitable forage at an appropriate stage of maturity.
- Keep the grass clean and free from soil contamination.
- Wilt the grass properly before compacting it.
- Avoid unnecessary prolonged exposure to strong sunlight.
- Compress the forage firmly.
- Tie the hay securely.
- Store it under dry and well-ventilated conditions.
- Protect stored hay from rain and ground moisture.
- Inspect stored hay regularly for mould or excessive moisture.
- Use hay as part of a balanced livestock ration.
Why Hay Conservation Matters
Feed shortages are a recurring challenge for many livestock farmers.
During periods of adequate rainfall, forage may be abundant. During dry periods, however, pasture can become scarce and the amount and quality of available feed can decline.
Conserving surplus forage as hay gives farmers an opportunity to carry part of the feed produced during good seasons into periods of shortage.
This can help reduce dependence on emergency feed purchases and improve the continuity of livestock feeding.
Conclusion
Making hay is a practical method of conserving forage for livestock during periods when fresh feed is limited.
The simple pit or hay-box method described in this article can be used with locally available materials and does not require sophisticated machinery.
Boma Rhodes grass is one suitable forage for hay production, although other appropriate grasses can also be conserved.
The most important objective is to produce clean, properly cured, nutritious and well-stored hay that can contribute to the animal's overall ration.
For the smallholder dairy farmer, good feed conservation is not simply about preparing feed for tomorrow. It is about planning today for the periods when pasture and other fresh feeds will be difficult to obtain.
Originally Published in 2014
This article was originally published on Be The Animal Farmer in September 2014 and has been updated in 2026 to improve clarity and incorporate current forage-conservation guidance.
Author: Newton Adera
References
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) — information on fodder production and hay/pit conservation methods.
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) — research on Boma Rhodes and other improved fodder grasses.
- Feedipedia/FAO — Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and its nutritive characteristics.
- FAO AGRIS — research on forage use in small-scale dairy farming in Kenya.
Kisumu Lsk show in 2014 and Mr.Tembe explains to a farmer the importance and how use the structure for making hay
Hay pit or hay box
A simple rectangular pit or hay box can be used to compact and bind wilted grass into a small hay bale.
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