HayRite FAQ — Hay Preservation, Biological Inoculants, and Application Questions

What problem does HayRite solve?

HayRite prevents the severe dry matter and nutritional losses that occur when hay heats and moulds during storage. Heating in stored hay is caused by microbial respiration, which can consume up to 37% of a round bale's dry matter over six months if left unprotected. By stopping this microbial activity early, HayRite eliminates the temperature spikes that destroy digestible proteins via the Maillard reaction. This ensures that the nutritional value you harvest is the exact same nutritional value you eventually feed to your livestock, maximizing your yield and reducing feed waste at the bunk.

⊙ Field Knowledge Hay storage and feeding losses commonly account for 10% or more of livestock production costs.

◐ Trial Data In Darts Biotech's 2023 trial, HayRite-treated bales showed approximately 30% lower internal temperatures vs. untreated controls during the critical first 14 days.

What Is the Difference Between HayRite and Propionic Acid?

HayRite uses competitive exclusion through beneficial bacteria, whereas propionic acid relies on chemical pH reduction to stop mould. Propionic acid requires harsh, corrosive chemicals that lower the hay's pH to an environment where mould cannot survive. While effective, it demands specialized acid-resistant applicator equipment, robust personal protective equipment (PPE) for the operator, and risks rusting your baler. In contrast, HayRite is a non-corrosive, low-toxicity biological agent. It uses naturally occurring Bacillus strains to consume the sugars that mould needs to grow. HayRite applies easily through standard spray systems without damaging your equipment or requiring heavy chemical handling precautions.

✓ Confirmed Chemical preservatives work by lowering pH below the threshold that supports mould growth. HayRite works through biological competitive exclusion.

⊙ Field Knowledge Both approaches address the same problem space. They differ in operator handling, equipment compatibility, and where in the process they're most effective.

Is HayRite Safe for Horses, Cattle, and Dairy?

Yes, HayRite is completely safe for horses, beef cattle, and dairy cows when applied as directed. The active ingredient, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, holds a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for agricultural and feed applications. Because it is a biological inoculant rather than a harsh chemical, it leaves no toxic residues on the forage. In fact, livestock typically show improved intake and less bunk refusal with HayRite-treated hay, as the treatment prevents the dust, mould, and off-putting smells that usually drive animals away from lower-quality untreated bales.

✓ ConfirmedBacillus amyloliquefaciens has GRAS status for many feed applications.
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⚠ Strain Caveat Published GRAS literature is primarily on related Bacillus strains. DB38-specific regulatory documentation is in process.

Is HayRite safe for the person applying it?

Yes, HayRite is completely safe for horses, beef cattle, and dairy cows when applied as directed. The active ingredient, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, holds a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for agricultural and feed applications. Because it is a biological inoculant rather than a harsh chemical, it leaves no toxic residues on the forage. In fact, livestock typically show improved intake and less bunk refusal with HayRite-treated hay, as the treatment prevents the dust, mould, and off-putting smells that usually drive animals away from lower-quality untreated bales.

✓ Confirmed Not classified as hazardous under GHS. Recommended handling: avoid eye contact and inhalation of spray mist; wash hands after handling.

Does HayRite reduce fire risk?

It addresses the underlying cause.
✓ Confirmed Hay fires occur via a documented two-phase mechanism: microbial respiration heats bales to ~70–80°C (160–175°F), at which point chemical auto-oxidation can take over and ignite the hay. Sources: Alabama Cooperative Extension, Penn State, multiple university extensions.
◐ Trial Data HayRite-treated bales in Darts' 2023 trial averaged approximately 30% lower internal temperatures during the critical first 14 days.
? Open Question Whether HayRite measurably reduces actual hay-fire incident rates across operations is statistically difficult to study (fires are rare events; large cohort sizes are needed). This is a longer-term research direction rather than a current active study.

Does HayRite protect protein?

Yes — by reducing the heating that destroys protein.
✓ Confirmed When hay heats above 120–130°F (50–55°C) in storage, protein binds with carbohydrates via the Maillard reaction, forming Acid Detergent Insoluble Protein (ADIP), which is largely indigestible.
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◐ Trial Data Lower bale temperatures observed in Darts' 2023 trial imply lower Maillard-reaction protein loss, though specific protein-retention numbers from that trial are still being analyzed.

🌾 Open research question: How much protein does HayRite preserve in your specific operation?
The exact relationship between HayRite treatment and retained crude protein percentages across forage types is what our Wet Baling Moisture Frontier Study and Storage Longevity Study are set up to measure. Hay producers wanted.
See if you qualify →

What moisture level can I bale at with HayRite?

✓ Confirmed HayRite is recommended for hay in the moisture range that would otherwise carry elevated mould or heating risk — typically 18–25% moisture for small square bales, somewhat lower for round and large square bales.
⊙ Field Knowledge Standard guidance from extension services puts the safe baling moisture range at 15–20% for untreated small square bales, 12–18% for round bales. HayRite is designed to extend the safe upper boundary, especially for the first two weeks of storage when most heating risk lives.

🌾 Open research question: Where exactly is the upper limit for HayRite-treated hay?
The exact upper-moisture limit at which HayRite-treated hay still reaches stable storage in different climates is the central question of our Wet Baling Moisture Frontier Study. Hay producers in Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest wanted.

Apply to the Moisture Frontier Study →

How do I apply HayRite?

✓ Confirmed Apply at 100 mL per tonne of hay through a baler-mounted sprayer with calibrated coverage. Compatible with standard sprayer systems used for chemical preservatives. No specialized equipment required.
⊙ Field Knowledge Most operators dilute with water for even coverage (typical dilution is 1:10 to 1:50 depending on sprayer type and bale density).

How long does HayRite stay good in the container?

✓ Confirmed Shelf life: 12–24 months when stored between 41°F and 86°F (5°C to 30°C) in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight (per HayRite product label).

⊙ Field Knowledge Like most biological products, HayRite is best stored out of direct sunlight, away from temperature extremes. Container should be sealed when not in use.

Will my cattle eat HayRite-treated hay?

⊙ Field Knowledge Yes — in fact, most operators report better intake on treated hay than on untreated lots from the same crop. Treated hay stays cooler, retains its green color, and avoids the off-smell and dust that drive refusal in untreated bales.

⚠ Strain Caveat Published feeding-effect studies on the H57 sister strain (Ngo et al. 2021; Pan et al. 2022) showed positive ADG and feed conversion outcomes in beef cattle.

Does HayRite improve average daily gain in beef cattle?

Does HayRite affect milk production or components in dairy cows?

? Open Question The strain-specific dairy outcome data doesn't exist yet at scale.

What we expect, based on the science: less heating means more digestible protein retained in stored hay; less mould means better DMI; consistent forage quality through the storage window means the TMR your nutritionist designed actually delivers. Whether that translates to measurable component changes is what the Milk Component Study is set up to answer.

More on dairy operations →

Does HayRite reduce feed waste?

⊙ Field Knowledge Hay refusal at the bunk — cattle pushing moldy or dusty bales aside — is a major source of feed waste in operations using untreated hay. Treated hay that comes out of storage cleaner and smells better tends to be eaten more completely.

? Open Question Specific refusal-rate measurements on HayRite-treated vs. untreated hay across different operation types are pending in our active research.

Does HayRite work on alfalfa hay?

✓ Confirmed Yes. Alfalfa is one of the primary forages HayRite is designed for. The product label specifies legume, grass, and mixed hay applications at the 100 mL/tonne rate.

⊙ Field Knowledge Alfalfa is particularly susceptible to leaf shatter and protein loss during baling and storage — the very losses HayRite addresses.

Does HayRite work on grass hay?

✓ Confirmed Yes. Grass hay (timothy, orchardgrass, fescue, brome, bermuda) is fully covered by the HayRite label.

⊙ Field Knowledge Grass hay tends to be baled at slightly lower moisture levels than alfalfa, but the same heating-and-mould risks apply when conditions push moisture up.

What about mixed hay or sorghum-sudangrass?

✓ Confirmed Mixed hay is covered by the label. Sorghum-sudangrass and similar warm-season annuals work the same way — the bacterial mechanism doesn't care about plant species, only about surface area and available moisture.

Does HayRite work on cereal grain hay (oat, barley, wheat)?

✓ Confirmed Yes. The HayRite product label specifies cereal grain hay (oat, barley, wheat) as a covered application alongside grasses, alfalfa, clover, and mixed legume–grass forage.

⊝ Field Knowledge The bacterial mechanism is plant-species-agnostic — it works on any forage where surface area, moisture, and time create heating or mould risk. Cereal grain hay carries the same heating-and-mould risk profile as any other dense, high-yield forage and benefits from the same protection.

When in the baling process should HayRite be applied?

✓ Confirmed Apply at baling, through a baler-mounted sprayer that wets the windrow as it enters the pickup. The bacterial population needs to establish on the hay surface before the bale is closed, so application timing is the same as for chemical preservatives.

Can I dilute HayRite with water?

⊙ Field Knowledge Yes — most operators dilute for even coverage. Typical dilution is 1:10 to 1:50 depending on sprayer type, flow rate, and bale density. The active rate is 100 mL of HayRite per tonne of hay; the carrier water is just for distribution.

✓ Confirmed Use clean water, ideally cool, with no chlorine bleach residue. Chlorinated municipal water at typical levels is fine but heavily chlorinated water can suppress the bacterial activity.

Can I tank-mix HayRite with other products?

⚠ Strain Caveat HayRite should not be tank-mixed with chemical preservatives like propionic acid — the acidity will kill the beneficial bacteria. The two products work via opposite mechanisms.

? Open Question Compatibility with other biological products (some seed treatments, foliar applications) is product-specific and not yet fully tested. When in doubt, don't mix.

What happens if I apply too much?

✓ Confirmed Over-application is not a safety concern — you can't overdose the hay or the animals that eat it. The economic concern is product cost; over-application beyond the 100 mL/tonne rate is wasted product without proportional benefit.

Does HayRite freeze in cold weather?

✓ Confirmed The product can freeze, but freezing doesn't permanently damage the bacterial spore population. Allow it to thaw fully and shake thoroughly before use. For winter storage, keep containers in a heated space when possible.

Are the bacteria still alive in the bottle?

✓ Confirmed Yes — over 90% of the population is in dormant spore form, which is why HayRite has a 12–24 month shelf life. The spores germinate and become active when applied to the moist hay surface during baling.

How do I order HayRite?

Use our contact form to request a quote. We'll size the order to your operation and provide current pricing along with shipping logistics.

Request a quote →

What's the lead time for an order?

⊙ Field Knowledge Typical lead time from order to delivery is 2–3 weeks domestically. We recommend ordering at least a month ahead of your first cutting to be safe.

What sizes does HayRite come in?

✓ Confirmed The standard package is a 20-litre container. Larger volumes are available for commercial-scale operations — contact us for bulk pricing.

Are you working with distributors?

Yes — we're actively expanding our distributor and dealer network in North America. If you're an ag-input retailer, custom baler, or distributor interested in carrying HayRite, reach out via our contact form with subject "Distribution / dealer interest."