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Leesburg, Ohio | Your description and the subsequent pictures indicate to me that the bales were either wet when baled, or wet when stacked, or did not have time to sweat before stacking and tarping.
We tarped round bales for several years, and got along just fine. BUT we never baled and tarped the same day. We would bale dry, and leave bales out to sweat for a few days. If the bales got rained on, no problem, just make sure they were dried out again before stacking. When good and dry, stack and tarp all in one day.
Regarding wind damage to tarp, if the tarp is tight and it stays tight, the wind will not damage it.
We used tarps designed for round bale pyramid stacks. The tarp fabric was sown into a continuous loop along each edge. Here is how it is done:
1) place a strap, or wire on the ground under every tier of bales so it will cross under the tier from one side of the stack to the other, with both ends outside the stack.
2) place tarp over the finished stack.
3) cut a slit in the fabric loop in line with the strap or wire under each tier.
4) slide a pipe or rebar into the fabric loop for the entire length of the tarp.
5) tie the straps-wires on one side of the stack to the pipe at each slit.
6) use a strap ratchet or wire tightener ratchet hooked to the pipe on the other side to pull tarp tight.
7) check and re-tighten ratchets every month while tarp is on stack.
8) remove tarp from entire stack all at one time, preferrably on a day with little wind, fold, store for re-use. | |
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Tarping Hay
