The Many Benefits of Using Hay Tarps

If you are a farmer or store hay, then you know that protecting your hay crop is essential to maintaining a successful harvest. One of the best ways to protect your hay is by using Hay Tarps. Hay Tarps provide protection from the sun, wind, and rain, and can help extend the life of your hay bales. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of using hay tarps and how they can help improve your crop yield.

Hay Tarps are an essential tool for farmers looking to protect their crops from the elements. Hay Tarps are typically made of a heavy-duty reinforced polyethylene material that is UV ray, mildew, and rot resistant along with being 100 percent waterproof. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit your hay bales and can be easily installed by rolling them out over your hay field.

Hay Tarps offer a number of benefits for farmers including crop protection, Hay Tarps shield your hay crop from sun damage, wind damage, and rain damage. By covering your hay bales with a designated cover, you can extend the life of you hay and improve its overall quality.

Another benefit is that using Hay Tarps can also help improve your crop yield. When hay is protected from the elements, it is far less likely to spoil or be damaged. This does mean that you will be able to harvest a larger quantity of hay, which can improve your overall profitability.

The utilization of Hay Tarps will also assist in saving you money in the long run. By taking steps to protect your hay from damage and other issues, you will not have to replace it as often, which will lead to significant cost savings over time.

If you are looking for a way to improve the quality of your hay and extend its life, then using Hay Tarps is a great option. Hay Tarps provide numerous benefits for farmers and can help improve your overall crop yield. So, if you are looking for a sure way to protect your hay crop, consider using Hay Tarps. Your hay will thank you for it.

2022 Hay Forecast

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its 2022 Prospective Plantings Report that came out earlier this spring, estimates that the United States acreage dedicated to dry hay production might be the lowest since 1907. This prediction in the report is based on producer surveys generated in the first half of March.

According to the Prospective Plantings Report, United States hay producers plan on harvesting approximately 50.3 million acres in 2022. This is down 1 percent from 2021, which has the potential to be the lowest in 115 years.

With less hay predicted to be on the market, protecting this crop with Hay Tarps is as important as ever.

Every Bit of Productivity and Safety Helps

Effectiveness and efficiency around any farm operations in all areas of the business is critical as margins become tighter and tighter as sourcing for materials and supplies is tougher and fuel prices are astronomical. This is the case when protecting and storing hay, which is the third largest crop in the United States in terms of harvest acres. Upwards of 25 percent hay crop losses can be incurred from exposure and weathering. If Hay gets wet or rests in the hot sun too long, nutrients can be lost. The growth of bacteria is also a serious threat experienced. Although permanent structures are a traditional and quite expensive preference, Hay Tarps over the recent past have developed as a very flexible and cost-effective option in protecting your hay from damage and loss.

Hay Tarps are strategically designed for protecting hay. These effective covers are crafted from heavy-duty polyethylene that is completely waterproof as well as UV ray, mildew, and rot resistant. In addition, Hay Tarps help eliminate moisture buildup that is vital in keeping the hay in the best condition possible. The materials utilized in Hay Tarps create breathability, allowing air to circulate, which helps moisture to also move freely. If water and moisture does not have the room to evaporate, it will accumulate and seriously affect the hay bales.

Flexibility and accessibility are valuable. With Hay Tarps, it is possible to protect and store your hay wherever you choose. If you are using a barn or other building, you are limited to the single location. With the adaptability of being able to store your hay where you want makes it overall easier and safer.

Anything that is outside for any length of time is going to take punches from the elements and weather. Premium Hay Tarps are manufactured with materials that are highly UV ray resistant, holding up to the sun’s affects day in and day out resisting damage and allowing the covers to be utilized season after season.

A major aspect to think about when storing hay is the cost. A dedicated hay barn, building, or shed involves a much more substantial financial commitment compared to Hay Tarps. These structures will not only take time to build they will require many years to pay off. An investment in Hay Tarps will be just a fraction of the cost compared to brick-and-mortar buildings.

In the event that you already have a barn, Hay Tarps are still great to have because you may have more hay than can fit into your building. These bales left out in the open can still get the protection necessary.

Another important benefit to Hay Tarps and your hay bales is fire prevention. Fires are not that uncommon. They occur in hay bales as a result of moisture building up from poor ventilation then igniting from spontaneous combustion. As the moisture content becomes extremely high, the result is the growth of bacteria and mold. This process breaks down the hay into simple sugars that the bacteria and mold can easily digest, which is called respiration. This respiration creates an amount of heat that, under the right conditions, will cause the hay to combust. Farmers that plan on storing hay for more than four weeks should be alert and aware of protecting the bales from the potential added moisture.

Cut Down on Waste when Storing Hay

When storing hay for any length of time, there two common situations where hay is of no usefulness. If the hay has been baled, cured, or stacked incorrectly, it has the tendency to rot quite fast. The second is that if animals, livestock have unlimited access to the hay, they will continuously walk over and waste a large portion of it. In order to get the most out of your hay and cut down on waste, focus of proper storage and efficient feeding methods is needed.

Store the Hay that is Cured Correctly

The first important item with hay is to store only that which has a low moisture content, no more than 15 percent moisture. Any rate above that level will vastly increase the possibility of heavy losses. There are handheld hygrometers available that provide the necessary information on the moisture content of the hay you grow and bale or purchase from others.

Maintain the Outer Layer

If you hare feeding livestock with bales of hay, the first six inches or so of the outer layer will account for a third of the bale’s entire weight. The next six inches will make up about one quarter. Therefore, if your animals are permitted to trample the first outer twelve inches, you are at a minimum going to lose about half of your bale. It is suggested to use hay rings to feed livestock.

Cover Your Hay

Hay Tarps are an easy, flexible, and cost-effective way to cover your hay bales and help eliminate the chance of careless loss. There will be waste of less than 10 percent when properly storing the hay under tarps. Losses are minimized by practices that include stacking the bales on dry days and inspecting the bottom sides of the Hay Tarps for condensation after heavy dew mornings and rains. Premium Hay Tarps are designed to help eliminate moisture underneath. Properly secure the covers with items such as ropes, bungee cords, pipes, and spiral pins to ensure the tarps are secure against wind and rain. If your bales do get wet, it very easy to pull the Hay Tarps back and sun-dry both the tarps and bales. The Hay Tarps allow you to control and administer the additional curing that is necessary during exceptionally wet times.

Creating a Ridge with your Hay Bales

To help make sure the Hay Tarps work at their best on your stacks of bales, it is necessary to prevent the pooling of water. Any collection of water will by gravity, wind, or other conditions find its way over the edges and into the hay. To help accomplish this safeguard against water issues it is best to create a peak with your stack by placing bales in the center of the stack creating a ridge. The peak generates a pitch for the cover on both sides permitting the rain or snow to roll right down the sides and on to the ground below.

It is highly recommended it periodically check your stacked hay bales during the time that you have them covered. Keep an eye out for high temperatures, moldy/musty smells, burning odors, and high concentrations of dust and dirt in the bales. When you have some bad hay bales, remove them immediately to ensure that they do not affect the rest of the pile.

Using Your Hay Tarps

Covering your Hay Tarps is not just throwing a waterproof tarp over you hay bales and call it a day. There is a bit of planning necessary, and some time required. The Premium Hay Tarps work ideally for both round and square bales of hay. These covers contain brass spur grommets located every three feet along with 2-inch loops of webbing around the perimeter to allow for the easy securing of the Hay Tarp using items such as rope, posts, pipes, spiral pins, and other anchoring implements.

Prior to starting to stack, you will want to know what formation you will be building and the number of bales you will be using and the size of the bales. A common and starting selection is to have two bales on the bottom layer with one on top. You will get a feel and determine what configuration and size is best for your situation.

As mentioned, Hay Tarps can be used on either round or square bales of hay. Each has a number of ways and techniques to secure the tarps with tools such as rope, pipe, poles, and spiral pins. Here are two valuable suggestions to keep in mind when applying Hay Tarps to your bales:

1. It is recommended to round or heap the tops of the square bales.
2. Always go back to tighten and retighten often after the stack of hay bales settle. This will be a reoccurring step as the bales will continue to settle throughout being stacked.

Hay Tarps are available in a wide variety of sizes to match your bale and stack size preferences.

Recapping The Benefits of Hay Tarps

If you do not have a barn to use or you happen to run out of space, you still want to make sure that your valuable hay bales are protected from the sun, wind, rain, and snow. Hay Tarps are an excellent way to protect your hay. To follow are some of the benefits that you will receive from using these specialty covers:

Cover Your Hay Basically Anywhere
A huge benefit is the ease, speed, and the convenience to cover your hay bales wherever they rest. You do not have to move them. All you do is properly stack your bales and then cover and store them right where they are.

Necessary Protection
It is not a matter of if but when hay bales will be compromised and breakdown when left unprotected outside. Exposure to the sun, wind, rain, and snow will cause weathering, helping break down and ruin portions of your bales. Bacteria, mold, and mustiness caused by wet and damp hay can lead to issues for your livestock if they are feeding on the bales of hay.

Breathability Under the Tarp
The bales need to have the moisture that is going to build underneath leave to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. The design and construction of Hay Tarps allows moisture to move and evaporate maintaining a dry environment. At the same time, the waterproof aspects of the tarp material keep water from rain and snow from seeping through and wetting the hay beneath.

Resistance of UV Rays
The sun’s rays are strong. Anything that is exposed to and absorbed by the brutal sunlight is going to be compromised. The fabric construction of Hay Tarps, especially the silver exterior that reflects the rays providing a high level of UV ray resistance to not only the hay underneath, it protects the wear and tear on the cover itself leading to a more durable and long lasting tarp for many seasons.

A Fraction of the Cost
Although Hay Tarps do not provide the level of protection of hay bales being stored in an inside facility, they do deliver more than adequate protection at a fraction of the cost. For an investment of a few hundred dollars compared to tens of thousands required to build and maintain barns or other structures, Hay Tarps are a quick, easy, convenient, proven, and cost-effective way to protect your bales of hay.

Tarps Now is your Trusted Farmhand in keeping your Hay Protected

When you are ready to properly protect your hay bales, Tarps Now has effective Hay Tarps in a selection of sizes to offer the benefits and convenience that you need and desire. Contact us when you have any questions or are ready to purchase these highly beneficial covers. Give us a call toll free at (888) 800-1383 or just as easily email at sales@tarpsnow.com. Our experienced, helpful, and pleasant team members located at the Tarps Now headquarters are ready to speak with you right now. While you are speaking with one of our dedicated staff, inquire about our Hay Tarps Tie Down Procedures. This set of basic instructions for both round and square hay bales helping explain how to use the covers, especially for first time users.

Based in St. Joseph, Michigan, Tarps Now specializes in the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of Standard Sized Tarps, Hay Tarps, Industrial Machine Equipment Covers, Athletic Field Tarps, Industrial Curtains all in a wide range of materials and specifications along with Custom Made Tarps and Cover capabilities. In addition, we offer a wide assortment of Tarp and Cover accessories to assist and maintain our products. Tarps Now is proud to offer a wide selection of covers and tarps direct from the factory along with convenient common stock products to businesses, organizations, and individual consumers throughout North America.

Tarps Now look forward to speaking with you about Hay Tarps or any of our hundreds of other popular products.