Hay Storage

[farmer2009]

I ended up going with a tarp. Some pictures of the stack before and after it was tarped.

The first picture is of how much hay I was loosing by storing it outside unprotected. You can see the size difference in the bales. The old bales are 1 year old. Baled last June.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Looks good. Why didn't you stack the bales on gravel or pallets? Just curious.

 

[cat fever]

I ended up going with a tarp. Some pictures of the stack before and after it was tarped.

The first picture is of how much hay I was loosing by storing it outside unprotected. You can see the size difference in the bales. The old bales are 1 year old. Baled last June.



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A major hay producer down the road from me just built a 150'X65'X18' barn. (side walls and roof nothing else) He said he was losing to much due to being stored outside under tarps. I assume he figured it was cost effective to build. Would you not benefit the same way? He sells 100% percent of what he grows, so bad hay does hit him hard in the pocket book.
Do you use your hay or sell it? Just curious.




x

 

[ultrarunner]

10,000 square feet sounds perfect!

 

[farmer2009]

A major hay producer down the road from me just built a 150'X65'X18' barn. (side walls and roof nothing else) He said he was losing to much due to being stored outside under tarps. I assume he figured it was cost effective to build. Would you not benefit the same way? He sells 100% percent of what he grows, so bad hay does hit him hard in the pocket book.
Do you use your hay or sell it? Just curious.




x

Oh I'd benefit but a hay barn isn't in the budget yet. I'm looking to grow, if so, I do I may end up moving my hay storage area. So I'm not ready to commit to the expense of the permanent structure. Although a 30x50 in that same spot wouldn't be bad.

I feed 95% of my hay. I sell very little.

 

[cat fever]

10,000 square feet sounds perfect!

Plus the height. He can drive his bale wagon in and unload. It's a great set up. His family has been farming here for over 100 years and he just built the barn so think of the wasted hay over the years.

 

[cat fever]

Oh I'd benefit but a hay barn isn't in the budget yet. I'm looking to grow, if so, I do I may end up moving my hay storage area. So I'm not ready to commit to the expense of the permanent structure. Although a 30x50 in that same spot wouldn't be bad.

I feed 95% of my hay. I sell very little.

OK, best of luck to you. One way or the other these things usually work out.