HayRite Application Guide — Hay Preservative Applicator Setup, Rate, and Equipment

The basics of biological preservation rely on getting the right amount of beneficial bacteria onto the crop at the right time. Here are the core specifications:

✓ Confirmed Application rate: 100 mL of HayRite per tonne of hay (per product label).
✓ Confirmed Method: Liquid applied via baler-mounted sprayer, wetting the windrow as it enters the pickup.
✓ Confirmed Withholding period: None when used as directed.
✓ Confirmed Compatible equipment: Standard baler-mounted sprayer systems used for chemical preservatives. No specialized equipment required.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Compatible Equipment TypesCompatible Equipment Types⊙ Field Knowledge If you don't have a baler-mounted sprayer yet, an electric or PTO-driven sprayer kit is the typical investment. Most ag equipment dealers carry suitable units.

If you're already running a propionic-acid sprayer on your baler, you can use the same setup for HayRite. The only differences:

Compatible Equipment Types

To apply HayRite effectively, you need a reliable hay preservative applicator. Standard baler-mounted liquid sprayer systems previously used for chemical preservatives work perfectly. No highly specialized or proprietary equipment is required.

• Field Knowledge: If you don't have a baler-mounted sprayer yet, an electric or PTO-driven hay preservative applicator kit is the typical investment. Most ag equipment dealers carry suitable units.

If you're already running a propionic-acid sprayer on your baler, you can use the same setup. The most important step is to flush the system thoroughly before switching from chemical to biological. Acid residue left in the tank or lines will kill the bacteria on contact.

Dilution Rate Calculation

Because the application rate of 100 mL/tonne is much less concentrated than typical propionic application rates (which are often 0.5–1% by weight), you must dilute HayRite with clean water to achieve even coverage. Most operators run a 1:10 to 1:50 dilution ratio. The exact ratio depends on your sprayer's nozzle pattern, pump flow rate, and baling speed. Adjust your sprayer's flow rate accordingly after dilution.

Tips for Dry vs Liquid Application

Apply HayRite at baling, not before or after. The bacterial population needs to establish on the hay surface before the bale is closed.

⊙ Field Knowledge Operators sometimes ask about pre-cutting application or post-baling spray. Neither works. Pre-cutting application doesn't survive field exposure; post-baling spray doesn't penetrate the bale interior where it's needed.

Apply across the full moisture range you'd typically bale at. The product is designed to extend the safe upper-moisture boundary, not to replace good baling judgment.

Storage of Unused Product

Proper storage is critical for maintaining the viability of the biological agents.

✓ Confirmed: Store HayRite between 41°F and 86°F (5°C to 30°C) in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, with the container sealed when not in use.
✓ Confirmed: Shelf life is 12–24 months under the storage conditions above.

⊝ Field Knowledge: If you've stored HayRite through a hot summer in an uninsulated shed where temperatures pushed past 100°F repeatedly, expect some efficacy reduction. The spores tolerate ordinary fluctuations, but extended high-temperature exposure narrows the shelf-life window. If you mix a diluted batch with water, use it ideally on the same day. Do not store diluted product for days before use.

Rate Calculation Example

Understanding the math ensures you don't under-apply (leaving hay unprotected) or over-apply (wasting product).Understanding the math ensures you don't under-apply (leaving hay unprotected) or over-apply (wasting product).✓ Confirmed Store HayRite between 41°F and 86°F (5°C to 30°C) in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, with the container sealed when not in use (per HayRite product label).