An Overview of Hay Tarp Advantages

 Successful agricultural practises are important for a healthy harvest and high yield, and every farmer understands how important it is to protect their crops, especially their hay crop, to maintain a successful harvest.

A hay tarp is a protective cover made of a heavy-duty material of reinforced polyethylene that is 100 percent waterproof and resistant to UV rays, wind, dampness, mildew, and rot. The tarp is specifically created to protect the hay crop and other crops by providing much-needed protection and also playing a major role in protecting and extending the life of hay bales. 

As the weather becomes more and more unpredictable because of the effects of climate change, the agricultural business is becoming more competitive with tighter margins. In such a scenario, it becomes more essential for the farmers to protect their crops and their interests as best they can for sustained farming and harvest. The hay tarp also has other benefits for the farmer, along with protecting the crops.

Advantages of Hay Tarp

1.     Protects crops: Harvested crops are stored in silos or godowns before they are used or sold in the crop markets. During storage, the crops need to be protected from becoming spoilt by atmospheric and climatic changes. A hay tarp protects the crop from sun, wind, and rain, which could cause possible damage to the crop.

2.     Protects the hay crop: Every farmer knows the advantages of crop rotation and does so periodically to keep the agricultural land fertile. Farmers grow hay in between seasonal sowing, and hay, being very susceptible to the effects of the natural elements, needs to be protected from being damaged. Hay tarp provide this necessary protection for the hay crop.

3.     Extends the life of hay bales: The hay crop is perhaps one of the largest crops in India, for its many uses in the agricultural field. Upon harvest, the crop is stored in the form of hay bales, which are not only protected by a hay tarp, but the tarp cover can also extend the life of the hay bales by maintaining their nutrients and eliminating the build-up of moisture. The material of the hay tarp is breathable, enabling air circulation that allows the moisture to move freely instead of settling down in the bales.

4.     Versatile usage: Many small farmers do not have the means to build barns or storage units for their crops, so they store the harvested crop wherever they find space. The flexibility of the material of the hay tarp allows the farmers to store the crop safely at various places, apart from the barn. Using the hay tarp saves the farmers the stress of protecting their crops, the loss from damaged crops, and much-needed money for building a barn or renting one for the storage of their crops.

5.     Safety from fire: Fires are not uncommon in agriculture, especially with regards to the hay crop and bales. Due to poor ventilation during storage, the build-up of moisture can result in spontaneous combustion in the hay bales. The combustion occurs when the moisture breaks down the hay into simple sugars, which are food for bacteria and mould. The process of consumption and digestion known as respiration creates heat within the hay bales, which can burst into flames. Hay tarps prevent fire hazards with their breathable and strong material, which promotes ventilation in the covered hay bales.

6.     UV rays resistant: The strong ultraviolet rays of the sun can be very damaging, especially with prolonged exposure. The special UV-resistant material of the hay tarp, particularly the silver exterior that reflects the strong UV rays, protects the crop under its cover from damage while also protecting itself from wear and tear to last for many seasons.

Economical: As mentioned earlier, the cost of protecting the crops with a hay tarp is much less than building a barn or storage unit for storage. Even though barns are better for keeping the crop protected, the hay tarp also provides adequate protection. Hay tarps are definitely a more economical option than spending lakhs on building a barn. Truly a boon for the small to medium farmers, who otherwise would be taking a hefty moan on high interest to build storage units for their crops.