simme
Old Dumb Guy
A real hay tarp costs about $200 for a 25 foot by 48 foot. They come in many sizes to fit your stack and bale size. With 4 foot wide bales, that tarp will cover 66 bales with overhang on the ends. About $3 per bale capacity to buy the tarp. If the tarp lasts 5 years, about 60 cents per stored bale is the cost. If 3 years, then $1 per bale. You can buy a "cheap" tarp at TSC for about $120. It will last one year or less. You can get an even "cheaper" one at Lowes that will last 4 to 6 months in the sun. If hay is stacked and there is leakage that wets the hay, it does not dry under the tarp and will rot. Better to store it uncovered and not stacked than to stack it and let it get wet in an area that gets a good bit of rain.
Sometimes lowest cost to purchase is not the least cost to own.
Sometimes lowest cost to purchase is not the least cost to own.