Investing in quality hay covers is a smart move for any farmer or rancher. But like a valuable tool, hay covers need care and maintenance to keep them in top shape. This chapter will walk you through the essential practices for maintaining your hay covers so they last longer and protect your hay more effectively. We’ll cover everything from inspecting and cleaning your covers to repairing damage and storing them correctly.
Inspecting Your Hay Covers
Regularly inspecting your hay covers is the best way to ensure they’re in good condition and doing their job of protecting your feed supply. Think of it as preventative maintenance since catching damage or wear early on can prevent bigger problems down the road and extend the life of your covers.
When to Inspect
Aim to give your hay covers a thorough inspection at least once a season, ideally before and after storing your hay. It’s especially important to check covers after strong winds, heavy rain, or snowstorms since these events can cause damage or loosen those all-important fastenings. Even better, make a habit of visually checking your hay covers whenever you’re working in or around the storage area.
What to Look For
During your inspections, carefully examine covers for tears, holes, or punctures. Check the seams for signs of loosening or fraying. Look for signs of sun damage, such as fading, cracking, or brittleness. Pay special attention to areas that take more of a beating, like corners, edges, and places where the cover touches the ground or other objects. And don’t forget to inspect those fastenings—weights, ropes, or straps—to make sure they’re secure and in good condition.
Keeping Records
Keep a record of your inspections, noting any damage or wear you find. These detailed records can help you track the condition of your covers over time and spot recurring problems. Tracking this information can help you determine when it’s time to replace a cover so you can make room in your budget before you encounter significant failures.
Cleaning Hay Covers
Periodic cleaning significantly extends the life of your hay covers and helps them perform their job effectively. When dirt, debris, and bird droppings accumulate on the covers, they cause premature wear and tear. This limits their ability to shed water and generally makes your storage area less tidy.
The frequency of cleaning will depend on the type of cover and the storage environment. Covers stored outdoors generally need to be cleaned more often than those stored indoors. As a general rule, plan to clean your hay covers at least once a year, preferably before storing them for an extended period.
Deep Cleaning Before Storage
Before storing your hay covers for an extended period, give them a thorough cleaning. This will remove accumulated dirt, grime, and potential contaminants that could damage the cover or transfer to your hay.
Start by using a broom, brush, or leaf blower to remove loose debris, such as leaves, twigs, or bird droppings. For a deep clean, use a mild detergent and water solution. Apply it with a sponge or soft brush, scrubbing gently to remove dirt and grime. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the cover material. Finish up by rinsing the cover thoroughly with clean water to remove soap residue.
Allow the cover to air dry completely before folding and storing it. Proper drying is crucial to prevent mold and mildew growth, which can damage the cover and reduce its effectiveness. Remember that mold spores thrive in damp environments, and a wet cover can harbor these spores, potentially introducing mold to your hay as soon as the cover is applied in the next season.
Routine Cleaning While In Use
If you notice a significant buildup of dirt or debris, you might also need to clean your hay covers while they’re in use, especially if they’re used outdoors. Cleaning helps prevent dirt or debris from building up and damaging the cover or the hay.
If a cover is only lightly soiled with light dust or debris, clean it in place with a soft brush or broom. Small, heavily soiled areas can be spot-cleaned with a mild detergent. Be careful not to soak the cover or the hay underneath.
For heavier soiling, it’s best to remove the cover for a thorough cleaning. Choose a calm, dry day for this task and enlist help if needed to avoid damaging the cover or the hay. Make sure the cover is completely dry before spreading it over your haystack.
Repairing Hay Covers
Keep your hay covers repaired to get the most out of them and recoup your investment. Fix damage like tears, punctures, and loose seams promptly to keep your covers in good shape so they last longer.
Assessing the Damage
Before you start patching things up, take a good look at the damage. Small tears or punctures are usually easy to fix, while larger tears or more extensive damage might require more involved solutions or a new cover. Consider the type of cover material and where the damage is located when deciding on the best repair method.
Repairing Tarps
Canvas
Use repair tape or patches designed for canvas for small tears or punctures in canvas tarps. Clean the area thoroughly before applying the patch. For larger tears, stitching with a strong, UV-resistant thread might be necessary. Apply a seam sealer after stitching to enhance waterproofing.
The best seam repair for canvas tarps involves restitching the seam with a strong, weather-resistant thread. Use a heavy-duty needle and a stitch pattern like a backstitch or a sailmaker’s stitch for extra durability. Consider applying a seam sealer after stitching to enhance waterproofing.
Lightweight Polyethylene
Repair tape or patches designed for polyethylene can be used to fix small tears and punctures. For larger tears, overlap another piece of polyethylene sheeting and secure it with strong adhesive tape. If seams have separated, use a strong adhesive tape designed for outdoor use.
Repairing Woven Fabrics
Reinforced Polyethylene (RPE)
Use patches designated for RPE and a strong adhesive for tears and punctures. Large tears may require cutting your own patch from the original material.
Heat welding is the best option for seam repairs, as it creates the strongest and most durable bond. If heat welding isn’t possible, use waterproof double-sided tape designed for RPE liners. Place the tape in the seam between the two layers of liner, then use a single-sided tape over the seam for maximum protection.
Woven Polypropylene
For tears, use repair tape or patches designed for woven polypropylene. For larger tears, stitching with a strong, UV-resistant thread might be necessary. Stitching with a strong, UV-resistant thread can be used for seams, but reinforcing the seam with adhesive tape designed for outdoor fabrics will provide extra strength and water resistance.
Coated Woven Fabrics
The best repair method for tears and seams depends on the type of coating. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations or a professional repair service for guidance.
Repairing Plastic Films
UV-Resistant Polyethylene Film
Use repair tape indicated for polyethylene film to seal tears and punctures. For seams, use a strong adhesive tape designed for sealing plastic sheeting.
Stretch Wrap
Stretch wrap is generally not repairable and should be replaced if damaged.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
When in doubt about the best repair method for a specific material, it’s always a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations or seek advice from a professional specializing in repairing outdoor fabrics or covers.
Preventing Further Damage:
Once you’ve made repairs, take steps to prevent the problem from coming back. If the damage occurred in a high-stress area, such as a corner or edge, consider reinforcing it with extra material or padding. Inspect the repaired area regularly to ensure the patch or stitching is holding securely.
Storage
When they’re not in use, correctly storing your hay covers protects them from damage and extends their service life. Like your hay, your covers need a clean, dry, and protected environment to keep them from falling apart so they’re ready to go when you need them.
Preparing for Storage
After cleaning and thoroughly drying your hay covers, fold or roll them neatly. This helps prevent creases and wrinkles, which can weaken the material over time.
If you’ll be folding your covers for storage, make smooth, even folds to avoid stressing the fabric. If rolling them, use a core or tube (like a piece of PVC pipe) to maintain a consistent shape and prevent the cover from becoming tightly compressed.
Choosing a Storage Location
Pick a clean, dry, and well-ventilated spot for storing hay covers. Indoors in a shed, barn, or garage are usually your best option. If you must store them outdoors, protect them from the elements by placing them under a shelter or covering them with a rain-proof tarp.
Protecting from Pests
You’ll also need to protect your hay covers from pests while they’re in storage. Rodents and insects can damage your covers, so keep the covers in sealed containers or bags or place them in an area that pests can’t reach.
Wrapping it Up
Throughout this e-book, we’ve reviewed a lot of details about hay covering, from different types of covers and their applications to mastering the techniques for proper securing, storage, and maintenance. This information should help you significantly improve the quality and longevity of your stored hay, minimize losses, and ensure a consistent supply of nutritious feed for your livestock.
