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Hay Covers and Tarps Can Help Farmers Handle Spring Hay Production

Posted by CanopiesAnd Tarps on Feb 19th 2014

Now that February 2014 is here, have you already decided which steps you are going to take regarding hay production? If not, youll need to make them soon. Otherwise, you could end up having to buy food for the animals in the months ahead. Heres a quick look at what some of the options are as well as why youll need a good supply of hay covers and tarps in the spring:

Plant Oats

Depending on where you live, planting oats may be an option. For instance, to ensure a spring crop in the Midwest, the seeds will typically need to be drill-planted prior to mid March. In most instances, youll need to plant 100 pounds of seed per acre to generate 2,000 pounds of forage or 60 days worth of baled food. Once the seed heads appear, the oats may be harvested and stored under our hay covers until needed.

Test and Fertilize

During the cool season, testing the soil and adding fertilizer as needed is also an option. Doing so will help to ensure future hay growth. In many cases, the fertilizer will need to contain potassium, phosphorus, boron, sulfur and nitrogen. If you decide to buy the fertilizer in bulk and apply it yourself, our acid resistant, heavy-duty poly tarps will come in handy too. They may be utilized to help keep the pallets of fertilizer dry and contained prior to use.

Make Baleage

Lastly, you could make baleage with any hay harvested during the wet, cool weeks ahead. Once youre ready, our hay covers and tarps may be used to help keep oxygen away from the forage. It is important to keep the oxygen out because it could lead to mold and mildew growth. That, understandably, would render the baleage unsuitable for livestock consumption.

To ask questions and order custom hay covers in time for spring, please contact us at (877) 811-3911. Remember, it generally takes 7 to 10 business days to manufacture a custom hay cover. Shipping time is additional.