How Much Do You Need to Invest in Hay Storage?

Hay storage requires balancing hay cost with forage loss. With the price of hay today, it can be a financial disaster to store round hay bales outside, unprotected from the elements.

The potential damage—and therefore loss of revenue—that comes with rain and moisture coming at large hay bales from all sides is staggering. If you have absolutely no choice but to store hay outside, consider the following tips:

  • The longer you store hay bales, the greater the loss
  • Bales with larger diameters have less surface per ton than smaller bales
  • Water sheds better when more twine or net wraps are used
  • Tight bales will shed water better than loose ones
  • Grass makes better thatch than legume
  • Less bottom spoilage occurs when hay is stored on a well-drained hilltop or gravel soil as opposed to low-lying, clay-type soil
  • Bales in north-south rows will dry better than east-west rows
  • Always place bales far enough apart to encourage air circulation
  • Exposing bales to sun and wind works much better than storing them under trees

There are several alternatives to storing hay bales directly on the ground. Two of the most practical and affordable alternatives are tarps and a hoop barn. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these methods.

Tarps have a low up-front cost but do not last long and involve more labor. If you don’t use a gravel pad, a tarp can be relocated as needed. When deciding if tarp is an option, you need to consider hay costs and the potential forage losses that are likely to occur. You also should factor in how much you will save by spending the time and money on tarps. This cost/benefit approach will help you to determine whether or not tarps make sense.

A hoop barn is another alternative. Depending on its size, a hoop barn can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $14,000 depending on the size and length of warranty. Add costs for site development, labor and contracting fees and out-of-pocket expenses can grow by up to $7,000.

Putting pen to paper is essential to deciding how much you need to invest in hay storage methods. Only then will you be able to get the best return on your hay investment.