The Benefits of Bale Wrap

Maintaining airtight bales helps prevent spoilage and enhances hay quality, especially when moisture levels are high. For optimal preservation, wrap bales in 6- to 8-mil thick plastic within 24 hours after baling for maximum protection.
It’s easier to handle
Bale wrap is not only easy to handle, but it’s more reliable than other hay-wrapping options. In addition, its exceptional engineering makes it resistant to puncture and prevents moisture from wicking into the bales. You can use this wrap on both round and square haylage.
When selecting a bale wrap, the thickness of the film is an essential factor to consider. A higher thickness will prevent rainwater from seeping into the bales and ground moisture from seeping through its bottom edges. Farmers should experiment with different wrapping thicknesses to see what works best on their farms.
Farmers typically use at least two layers of bale wrap for optimal preservation. It ensures the wrap can firmly hold moisture from the ground wicking up from beneath and rain or melting snow into the bales, especially if stored outdoors.
Dry bales should be stored in well-drained areas, like on pallets. Unfortunately, these spots can be hard to come by, so it’s wise to try and hold your dry bales inside or under cover.
If you must move dry bales, wait 24 hours after they have been wrapped before doing so. Doing this helps minimise the chance that a bale may burst due to fermentation gases.
Farmers should avoid handling their bales during the early stages of fermentation to preserve their integrity. Moving or taking can break the seal between film layers, exposing them to oxygen and restarting aerobic fermentation.
Once wrapped, farmers should store their bales away from trees where birds and rodents may nest. Furthermore, they should steer clear of sharp stubble areas and poorly-drained soil.
In addition to these storage tips, farmers must exercise caution when stacking bales. A quality hay wrap can be invaluable in this regard.
Producers should cover their bales with heavy-gauge polythene sheeting when storing them away. It will protect them from sharp objects and animal damage, such as domestic cats.
When selecting a bale-wrapping system, time should also be taken into account. Depending on the thickness of the film, it can take anywhere from 6 to 8 rotations to secure one bale.
It’s more environmentally friendly
Bale wrap is an effective way to protect silage and hay when stored outdoors. It prevents air from getting into the bale, which could lead to mould growth, spoilage or combustion. That means wrapped bales retain more nutrients for longer and provide better animal feed.
When wrapping multiple bales, the amount of plastic needed depends on their moisture level and length of storage. Generally, six mils total plastic is necessary to restrict oxygen movement. However, if you are wrapping multiple bales together, you may require more than 6 ml.
Wrapping can also reduce dry matter loss during storage due to plant respiration, microbial activity and weather deterioration.
In minimising dry matter losses, bales should be wrapped as soon as possible after baling. The first 24 hours are critical in preventing mould growth and fermentation.
However, some farmers may be reluctant to use plastic wrap due to its difficulty disposing of and potential damage to bales. In addition, they worry livestock might ingest the plastic and won’t break down during digestion.
Some farmers have turned to clear bale wrap as a more straightforward solution than black or coloured bale wrap for disposal.
Additionally, buying bulk plastic is more economical. Many retailers carry the same material in various colours, so you can find one that best meets your requirements.
Clear bale wrap can help reduce your carbon footprint. It is made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) material and contains less carbon than standard bale wrap.
Farms and ranches can utilise this new bale wrap product to protect various forage types, such as dry hay, straw, silage, grass and woodchips. Not only does it prevent bacterial growth in storage areas, but it also reduces plastic waste that would otherwise go to waste.
It’s less likely to be ingested by livestock
Net wrap is a standard method to secure round hay bales for storage. It helps keep them in good condition and makes handling them much simpler. Unfortunately, this practice has drawbacks, such as excessive environmental waste production and increased machinery upkeep.