Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
In some geographical areas, an uncovered stack fares well with very little nutritional
loss from sun or precipitation. In places with snowy, freeze-and-thaw, or rainy winters,
however, it is best to cover the stack with a good tarp. Still, it is better to leave a stack un-
covered than to cover it with a tarp that is full of holes. Water entering a covered stack will
make a column of mold from the top bales all the way down to the bottom.
The best cover for a stack is a canvas tarp, as it is waterproof but allows for some air
exchange, which minimizes condensation. Although new tarps are expensive, they will last
a long time. You might be able to find a used truck or machinery tarp for sale at an auc-
tion. Black agricultural plastic is not a good choice because it can tear or be punctured by
the hay stems, it is difficult to tie down, and it can result in condensation under the plastic,
causing hay spoilage. Blue polyethylene tarps may be initially inexpensive, but they have
very low resistance to sunshine and often deteriorate in one season.
Coverings should be secured with twine, rope, or bungee cords at all edges as well as
over the top of the stack from side to side and from end to end. Canvas tarps and some
polyethylene tarps have sturdy grommets that are useful for tying down the edges of the
cover. You can improvise by placing a pebble or marble slightly in from the tarp's edge to
create a lump around which you can attach your twine. It is advisable to run several ropes
across the length and width of the stack and completely around its circumference to prevent
billowing of the tarp by the wind, which can loosen and tear a covering.
Cut up an old inner tube and use the rubber scraps under the rope or twine wherever it
looks like it may cut into the covering when you tighten the rope. Holes in most coverings
can be patched with a dab of silicone and a scrap of plastic or canvas. If you take a little
extra time when you stack and cover your hay, it will have a better chance of retaining its
quality throughout the year.
Three-sided shed
