Rain-soaked hay and grapes pose challenges for Fresno State farm

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The recent storm brought much-needed rain to the Valley, but it also created challenges for Fresno State's farm operations.

Hay bales that were covered before the storm remain in good condition. However, those left exposed to the rain were soaked, raising concerns about mold and feed quality.

"We'll watch them over the next week and a half," said Fresno State Farm Manager Rob Willmott. "If they don't dry out, then we'll peel those layers off."

Willmott demonstrated how deep the rain penetrated into the bales, which is about three inches, and explained how mold detection is often done by smell.

"You can usually smell mold in a bale. I can. Right now I don't smell it," he said.

Moldy hay poses a risk to livestock, which will refuse to eat feed that smells off.