Hay can be stacked and tarped on the ranch without any damage until used. Economically, tarps may be a better investment than sheds based on the following analysis. A 25 ft by 36 ft tarp can cover 36 bales each 5 ft in diameter. Assuming each bale weighs 700 pounds, then the tarp covers 13 tons of hay. Also it is easier to remove bales from a stack than from a shed.
Trucks can pull on either side of stack and load in less time than from a shed.
But tarps need to be in good condition to be effective. They are subject to wind damage and a tarp with a hole or rip in it can be worse than no cover at all. Information on sources of tarps can be obtained from your County Extension Office or the South Florida Beef and Forage website on the internet. Maku is a variety of big trefoil that was developed in New Zealand. In the early 1990's, Dr. Buddy Pitman found that Maku had good persistence in bahiagrass pastures at Ona.