ny_grass":2xpyjiy1 said:
So I've got my hay guy delivering about 70 4x5 small round bales of hay in a couple of days.
They'll be stored outside on pallets covered with tarp. I've heard it said that you want a tarp to be able to breathe to limit the moisture that's trapped inside. Does anyone think it's worth the extra cost to go with canvas (looks like it'll be about $130 for 12x24 tarp! I could get a 14x48 good quality poly for about $160).
Thanks
Perhaps more info than you wanted - but this all might be a bit of help for you - or someone else if they happen to read it.
Stack your bales and tie the tarp off with the bottom of the tarp about 1/2 or better down the bottom bale - do not go to the ground as it traps moisture - unless you want to grow mushrooms.
When we stack - we stack 3-2-1 and our stacks tend to be about 400 feet long - so we use multiple tarps - usually in the 75-80 foot long range.
We do not use pallets because they are a pain in the @ss to move in the winter to get to the next set of bales - the tractor tends to wreck them when they stick to the ground due to water, snow and ice - the loss is so small when stacked on decent ground that convenience of getting to the bale beats the trouble of freeing up the pallet - something folks down south do not have to deal with.
With the pallets under and the tarp only half way down the side of the bottom bale you have enough air movement.
I personally stay away from those cheap poly tarps and go with the good ones - they last for years if looked after. Pencil it out and compare the replacement costs of damaged tarps - you might want to go with more money initially.
Not advocating this company - but this stye of tarp - they can be bought at hundreds of place - closest place to you is likely your best place to buy.
http://www.inlandtarp.com/HayTarps.aspx
Lay some rope or twine or something under the pallets - or under the bottom bale if you do not use pallets
Then when you are finished piling and covering and securing those tarps - throw a few ropes over top of the pile of hay and the tarps - and secure them to the ropes you have laid UNDER the pallets - will really help you when the wind blows - trust me on this one. If you are interested we do this on every second bale when we finish securing the tarps - it ensures even a strong wind will not lift the tarp.
In your part of the world I would stack north to south so the sun hits both sides of the pile in the winter.
Bez+