Rain is a very good friend to almost every farmer. It clears away debris, waters thirsty plants, and refreshes fields. However, rain can still bring its own host of issues on a farm or homestead.
Livestock:
Wet animals are very rarely happy animals. Constant moisture can lead to sickness, infection, and other less than ideal conditions. Ticks are a serious concern in the rainy season. Since ticks are unable to take refuge in the wet grass, they’ll quickly jump onto cattle and livestock who are out to graze. While your standard barn may be built to withstand extreme weather, extra steps to protect the building itself, and the animals inside, may be ideal if water is finding its way inside. Excess water indoors can encourage chemical production, like ammonia. Goats are especially susceptible to hoof rot, making a wet floor a serious concern. Additionally, extra layers of insulation can make a huge difference when it comes to maintaining the temperature inside. Harsh weather like snow and hail can severely harm or even kill an animal, so be sure to give them a safe, warm place to take shelter.
Animals need:
- A warm, dry place to sleep and live
- A roof above their heads
- Suitable drainage for waste and stormwater alike
- A soft, comfortable place to sleep that isn’t moist or dirty
Waste:
Covering animal waste is a good idea for a variety of reasons. Not only can less-than-pleasant odors escape a waste lagoon, but harmful gases can also cause health issues for humans and animals alike. Floating rain covers are a popular choice to help trap these odors, and chemicals like methane or CO2 from escaping. A floating rain cover for a waste lagoon also provides a level of security. Birds, wildlife, and people are much less likely to have access to wastewater if the liquid is covered. This also helps reduce the chance of wastewater escaping via runoff, splashing, overflowing, etc.
Hay:
Hay left exposed to the elements will eventually rot and can develop mildew and lose nutritional value in the meantime. The University of Utah estimates that even less than an inch of rain can cause up to a 10% yield loss. Carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and valuable sugars are all stripped as hay is beat down upon by rain. The more severe the period of rain, the more serious the consequences. It’s incredibly important to cover your hay, in order to save its value and protect yourself from losses. Rain, precipitation, wind, and other environmental factors like sun or ice can wreak havoc on an otherwise perfect hay bale.
Rain covers are often used to protect the hay and allow for long-term storage. These are stretched over a hay pile and anchored to the ground in order to provide maximum coverage. Overhang is used to shield the sides. Since these are typically found outdoors, UV protection is essential for the material of the cover. Otherwise, long term sun exposure will eventually cause the cover to degrade.
How do you size a hay cover? Your tarp size will depend on the size of your bales -- your baler instructions won’t be accurate enough. Be sure to measure a few bales to get a good idea. Most standard tarp widths vary, but it’s possible to get custom fitted hay tarps from BTL Liners. Standard hay tarp lengths are 48 or 52 feet, but with the custom fabrication capabilities at BTL, hay tarp sizes can be created to the specifications you need. When measuring for the length of your hay, tarps allow at least four feet (two feet on each side) of overhang to protect each end of your stacks. Hay tarps should hang halfway down each side, not touching the ground. BTL’s design experts can take your measurements to customize a personalized hay tarp for your needs.
Feed:
Wet feed grows mold and can transfer bacteria into the animals that eat it. Eventually, moldy feed has been shown to cause cancer and disease in animals. Even just a little moisture can cause minerals to clump together in the feed making them inaccessible to the animals. Make sure that feed is kept dry and protected from moisture. A rain cover can be used to directly cover feed storage, or to cover the building that houses it. Ventilation and clean, fresh air will assist in removing the risk of moisture buildup.
