Protecting Your Investment: Why Winter Hay Management Matters as Much as Harvest

A great hay season doesn't finish when the baler leaves the paddock, and with increasing input costs and greater emphasis on feed quality, protecting hay through winter has become just as important as producing it.

In its Feedlot Design & Construction Guide, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) say losses of 30%-60% are possible for uncovered hay, and it recommends tarp covers as a method of protection.

According to the report, tarp covers have the advantage of a long lifespan of 2-10 years and being relocatable, quick to install, and multipurpose.

Our Tarpaulin Department Manager, Sarah Ellis, has echoed MLA’s data, saying it's crucial for hay farmers to have effective cover for their stacks this winter to avoid major losses.

“While shed storage is optimum, it’s not always an option and hay covers are an efficient and effective alternative,” she said.

“During the winter months, with moisture, wind and poor drainage your enemy, this can quietly reduce quality and profitability, often without obvious signs until bales are opened months later.”

Ms Ellis said hay farmers could take simple steps to ensure their tarped haystacks keep dry, survive high winds in winter and remain ventilated, including tensioning ropes and tie-downs, keeping hay off the ground with pallets, gravel pads or tyres and stacking hay in series of smaller stacks to allow some airflow.

“Ellis & Sons Group Hay Tarps feature self-tensioning tie downs with a rope and a bunji cord, so they continue to tighten,” she said.

“Our innovation and expertise allow us to help growers keep their investment in top condition under a high-quality, Australian-made hay cover.”

To find out more about Ellis and Sons Group’s Hay Tarps, call them on 1800 808 769 or check them out at ellisandsonsgroup.com.au/products/hay-covers.