Moisture levels higher than ___% lead to dry matter and quality loss due to heating and molding of the hay.

Moisture levels higher than 22% in hay can lead to significant storage issues, including heating and molding. When hay is too moist, the biological processes in the stalks can create heat due to the respiration of microorganisms, which in turn encourages the growth of mold. This process not only reduces the overall dry matter yield but also diminishes the nutritional quality of the hay, making it less suitable for animal feed. Maintaining moisture levels below this threshold is critical to ensuring that hay remains safe, nutritious, and of high quality during storage. Thus, understanding the moisture content's impact on the storage conditions of hay is essential for optimal agronomy practices.