Hay stored outside will be damaged by rain, snow, wind, and ice during fall and winter. The average round bale loses about one fourth of its original nutrients during storage, but these losses can be reduced to only 10 or 15 percent. For instance, do you usually line up bales so the twine sides touch each other? Or stack your bales? If so, extra spoilage will occur where these bales touch because rain, snow, and ice will gather in these spots instead of running off. Round bales butted end-to-end, cigar-like, usually have less spoilage. Does snow drift around your bales? Round bales in east-west rows often have drifts on the south side. Hay next to fencelines or trees can get extra snow. As snow melts it soaks into the bales or makes the ground muddy. Plus, the north side never gets any sun so it's slow to dry. This year, line bales up north-and-south to get fewer drifts and to dry more quickly because the sun and our prevailing winds will hit both sides of the row. Most important is the bottom of your bales. Always put bales on higher, well-drained ground so water drains from them. If necessary, use crushed rock, railroad ties, or even pallets to keep the bottoms dry. This will also reduce problems getting to your hay or getting it moved due to snow drifts or mud. Just a little pre-planning can save hay and frustrations.