Using a tarp on square bales.

Ok I can see where moisture could be a problem with laying a tarp ontop of the stack. What about something like this? Build a ridge beam into the stack and place some 2x4's out along the side of the stack.
Staple some plastic sheating over this. leaving a couple of feet out along the bottom and a nice air pocket on top.

Note I haven't tarped hay so I'm just supposing, I was 5 the last time dad did here....

--->Paul

1. Should use 4x4's to support bales off ground, can also use pallets, Or 4" to 6" logs. 2. The key is to stack the bales up to be a steep triangle shape stack with the last top row being only one bale row. You would basicly have the stack start out wider at the bottom and working up to the single row at the top that supports the tarp. The stack should look like it has steps on its sides due to the narrowed stacking from using less bales per row as stacking towards the top. I use the step looking side bales as actual steps to climb the bale stack to get the bales up easier and to put the tarp on. Also the step looking sides allow important air to blow through along the side rows to help keep the tarp dry inside. 3. Put tarp on and keep it pulled taunt on the side's by using pieces of clothes line and tying on one gallon milk jugs filled with water and tied on about every 5 feet on sides. I use 20'x40' tarps and stack the bales so that the tarp's edges will end up about 2' from ground on sides so that the water filled milk jugs can keep the tarp pulled taunt. I make sure to do the same with the tarp at back end of stack. Front of tarp can be opened on breezy, dry days if needed. Also when stacking, make sure to alternate every other rows bale direction to stabilize stack and stack bales with cut side up. Another advantage to using my method is that you can use cheap tarps with great success because they will be more taught to fight the wind of which helps them to last longer. Also the steeper bale stack shape will allow rain to run off quicker and better, allowing even a tarp with some holes or tears to work pretty good. I have used 35' long stacked rows per tarp with great success. The only draw back to my method is that you will get a few less bales under the tarp, as a oppose to being stack square, and after several months, the top one row bales may darken where they touch the tarp.

Thanks, Ray in Pa.