Storing straw methods

[D14]

Presently we outside stack but raise the bottom layer of bales off the ground generally on pallets or sleepers so they are a good 6 inches off the floor. This is generally in field corners though and not on hardstanding. Then we use old bales to top the stack off but also against the direction most of the weather comes in from. However we still are getting degradation of the straw.
I've seen this fancy sheeting systems but can't see they are any better than what we presently are doing and if anything offers less protection because we are using a full bale thickness to protect rather than just a sheet. How do the people do it on airfields for power stations?
I know a shed is the answer but its not an option here due to planning problems.

 

[Extreme Optimist]

You mean the Profitable Farming Companies sheets? I used them for about 5 years before building a shed. Quite expensive, but probably the best I came across. They more than pay for themselves if you save the top layer. Very important to make the stack in a pyramid and if doing square bales, it is best having the top bales of the pyramid as round bales as the edges of the square bales would rub. I would get about 3 - 4 years out of a sheet.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

https://www.haycap.co.uk/

 

[Hesston4860s]

A shed is the only answer really, the power stations did a survey that in 5 years a shed would pay for itself.

 

[D14]

A shed is the only answer really, the power stations did a survey that in 5 years a shed would pay for itself.

I know but planners won’t allow us so it’s not an option.

 

[bovrill]

It's only a little thing, but every little helps, I always make sure the top layer of big square bales go on upside down. My thinking is that the bottoms are denser, so light drizzles sit on top to evaporate off later, rather than soak in as it would with the softer tops. I'm convinced it makes a difference!

I wonder if pallets in between the top and 2nd layers would help. With 4' wide bales it wouldn't be a problem to arrange the top pair on the ground, then lift them onto the stack. 35+ years ago the big stacks of conventional bales used to be built with an air gap under the top layer, in the hope that the air flow would dry the underside of the top bale before it soaked the next layer down.

 

[puntabrava]

I know but planners won’t allow us so it’s not an option.

Don’t ask them then. Do you have more than 12 hectares and are 25 metres from a road? then permitted development rights are your friend.

 

[steveR]

Polytex sheet has been a revelation for the storage of round bale hay and straw. I stack on a crushed concrete base with some clean stone on top and any moisture drains off. I will pop a shed in the next year or so, but the 250 quid has been money well spent.

I got mine from German as I couldn't find a seller at the time 3 summers ago.. It breathes so great for hay,and seems impervious to wind (it goes through) and properly water resistant. Fixing is with long ally serrated nails that just bang into the bottom course of bales through the sheet. Stack is a 4,3,2,1 stack of 4ft rounds.

 

[gone up the hill]

Better off leaving them in situ in the field they are baled in until needed if at all possible, you will get very very little waste doing this.

 

[D14]

Better off leaving them in situ in the field they are baled in until needed if at all possible, you will get very very little waste doing this.

Care to elaborate?

 

[Pebd99]

I know but planners won’t allow us so it’s not an option.

Don’t tell them then.

 

[gone up the hill]

Care to elaborate?

Simple, leave them on the stubble where they fall out of the baler until you need to use them.

 

[glasshouse]

nail tin sheets to the top row

 

[D14]

Simple, leave them on the stubble where they fall out of the baler until you need to use them.

I’ve got two loads of barley bales where we did just that due to various things and they were all knackered by October.

 

[gone up the hill]

I’ve got two loads of barley bales where we did just that due to various things and they were all knackered by October.

Barley will never keep as well as Wheat outdoors.

I have done it and there was very little wastage on the bales.

Key is to use net and not scrimp on it.

If stacking squares outdoor's then you need to put a layer of square bales on top of the sheet.

 

[glasshouse]

i know a chap who left all his 5ft round bales where the baler dropped em.
sheep in field too.
strong wind came, sheep sheltered behind bales
wind got worse, bales blew over..........

 

[Sid]

Care to elaborate?

He must be talking about rounds as sqaures would be ruined in days

 

[gone up the hill]

i know a chap who left all his 5ft round bales where the baler dropped em.
sheep in field too.
strong wind came, sheep sheltered behind bales
wind got worse, bales blew over..........

Must have been very light bales

 

[Al R]

I know people that have their own fusions who often wrap the bales with a single layer of plastic, worked well I think.

What about using silage sheeting? It’s cheap and waterproof? Giant ratchet straps over the stack to keep sides tight and if you want chuck a pile of tyres on top.

 

[spin cycle]

https://www.haycap.co.uk/

they look brilliant