The present invention provides a hay bale dryer, comprising: a platform, the platform dimensioned to support the hay bale; a spike rack movably coupled to the platform, the spike rack having a plurality of spikes, each spike having a plurality of holes and each spike dimensioned to penetrate through the hay bale; a fan coupled to the spike rack and operative to blow air through the holes in the spikes; and a moisture sensor coupled to the platform and operative to detect a moisture level for the hay bale, wherein the spike rack is raised to permit loading and unloading of the hay bale, and lowered to permit drying of the hay bale via the air blown through the spikes