As hay starts coming off the field for the rest of the summer, farmers are reminded that planning ahead can go a long way when storing hay.
One different way to avoid spoilage in hay bales is by stacking them in single rows, bales six inches apart and one right beside the other, kind of like a row of marshmallows. You don't want the bales to touch, because any place those bales touch when you get rain, or when snow melts, that's where mould starts to form, and deterioration begins to occur.
Furthermore, facing bales into the wind will allow the snow and moisture to blow off in the spring, and if you are tarping bales, be sure to leave ends open to allow wind to move through the stack and reduce moisture.
While having your bales covered is always preferred, it's suggested not to stack them, as the less contact the bales have with each other, the less spoilage there will be.
