The arrival of spring has farmers who grow hay already starting to think about the first cutting of the season. They are also thinking about hay storage at the end of the year, especially if what was left over from last season went bad. It turns out that a farmer’s choice of storage partially determines whether he/she will get full value for the crop throughout the late autumn and winter.
Some growers choose to leave their hay completely unprotected. This is an option if you sell quickly enough not to have bales lying around for too long. However, when storage is needed, growers have several options:
•Permanent structures like barns and garages
•Temporary storage buildings
•Covering bales in large tarps.
Mytee Products sells a number of different models of temporary, freestanding buildings. We believe this is the best option unless you have a permanent structure like a barn or garage. Temporary buildings made of PE fabric and galvanized steel framing offer many advantages over storing hay under tarps.
Here are three reasons for choosing a temporary storage building:
Temporary Buildings are Flexible
You may purchase a temporary storage building with the intent of using it to store hay. That’s great. But you will likely not have a full crop stored throughout the year. Storage will be at a maximum just after cutting, but what you have in store will gradually diminish as hay is sold or used on your farm. The good news is that you can use the empty space for other things.
Temporary buildings are incredibly flexible. They can be used for storing a variety of things from hay to farming equipment. What’s more, they can be moved around your property as you see fit. You can erect your building where ever it makes the most sense for whatever purpose you need it.
Temporary Buildings Are Better for Airflow
It is important that stored hay is allowed to breathe. If a stack of hay is not exposed to good airflow, moisture can build up very quickly, leading to combustion or mold growth. Both can easily devastate a crop with little effort.
When you use tarps to cover your hay, airflow is always a concern. It is not a concern with a temporary storage building. You can stack your hay in such a way as to leave plenty of room on the sides and top to allow for the free movement of air.
Temporary Buildings Are Inexpensive
Let us say you have stored your hay under tarps in the past with unfavorable results. Now you are trying to decide whether to purchase a temporary storage building or erect a pole barn. Guess which option will cost the least?
One of the primary advantages of temporary storage buildings is their cost. They are relatively inexpensive when compared to permanent structures. Unless you absolutely know for sure that a barn or garage will pay for itself in the years after construction, it might be better to invest in a temporary storage building instead.
Another thing to consider is the cost of insurance. Constructing a new barn or garage is going to add to your property insurance – perhaps significantly depending on the size of the structure. There are no such insurance increases with temporary storage buildings. A temporary storage building would be covered under your current homeowner’s insurance.
Another haying season is now upon us. If you are looking for a new way to store your hay this season, we recommend a new temporary storage building from MyTee Products.
