Adding a silage wrap to your hay baling process has several benefits. First, it keeps air out and moisture inside the bale. Second, it reduces surface mould. Third, it can benefit your livestock by improving their performance, and finally, it is easy to use and cost-effective.
Keeping air out of hay bales
Silage wrap is a critical element of hay bale preservation. It helps prevent air pockets from forming during baling. It is crucial since the tighter the bales are, the better the silage will be. Individual wrappers or in-line machines can apply silage wrap. The inline wrapper uses the bale’s weight and machine to apply consistent pressure to the bale. On the other hand, the individual wrapper pulls the plastic around the bale as the platform spins.
The main goal of silage bale wrapping is to lock out the air and limit the oxygen inside the bale. When the hay is allowed to breathe, it starts to spoil because microorganisms consume the nutrients and produce heat. High temperatures in the bale can also damage the crop. Keeping oxygen at a minimum ensures the crop’s nutrients are preserved for livestock.
For producers with limited space, wrapping hay outside can be an effective solution. The film should cover the entire bale completely and overlap the edges by about 20%. In addition to the film preventing air from entering, it also prevents spoilage on the outer layer. It is recommended to wrap the hay bales with two layers of plastic for a minimum of one to two weeks. This sweat period helps the hay retain the correct moisture content. If you are unsure, wring the forage to see its moisture content.
If you are trying to make haylage, you should know that this method requires more plastic than the traditional method. It does not require bales to line up, but it does require multiple layers of plastic wrap. Moreover, you need to wrap hay bales within 12 hours of baling. Finally, it is essential to remember that the process of haylage fermentation depends on the timing of wrapping. If you wrap your hay too late, the process will end in spoilage.
Keeping moisture inside the bale
Using silage wrap in hay baling can keep moisture inside the bale and help prevent spoilage. It is often made of a film with a minimum thickness of one mil and should be applied outside the bale. However, the film may not be compelling if the bale is completely dry. The film will create a barrier that keeps moisture and oxygen from reaching inside the bale.
The use of silage wrap can be a reliable and flexible alternative to hay baling. It can reduce the time and cost of harvesting hay. It can also help reduce the time required to dry out a bale. It does not require multiple turns and can be harvested in a single pass. However, this means that the feed value in the bale is decreased.
Aside from keeping moisture in the bale, silage wrap will help farmers save money by cutting the cost of baling hay. This method allows farmers to harvest forage earlier, prevents damaging rain and improves yields in later cuttings. If it is wrapped correctly, haylage baling will be easy and inexpensive. Just make sure you follow the instructions in the bale wrap and keep your bales moist.
When using silage wrap in hay baling, choosing a tightly sealed wrap that does not allow secondary air movement is crucial. Ideally, the wrap should be applied within 5 hours of baling. If done correctly, it will prevent air from escaping and promote proper fermentation. However, if the wrap is improperly applied, the bale will heat up and spoil prematurely.
Preventing surface mould
To prevent surface mould from forming, it is essential to wrap your hay bales with silage wrap. Depending on the crop type, you can use up to 6 mils of plastic wrap to keep moisture and air out. Additional layers may be required depending on the amount of moisture in the hay and the length of storage. The first step to wrapping your hay bales is to ensure they’re wrapped as soon as possible after baling. Otherwise, they’ll have too much time to warm up, resulting in mould growth and spoilage.
If you use silage wrap in hay baling, you should ensure it doesn’t have any holes, as these may allow air to circulate and enable surface mould to grow. Some farms use silage wrap to prevent surface mould, but you should also consider covering any holes made by fork spears or other punctures during the wrapping process.
Another way to avoid surface mould is to use a film to help prevent the bale from getting too wet. It can help prevent surface mould even when the bale is dry. The film also acts as a barrier between the moisture and oxygen inside the bale. When moisture and oxygen are present, microbes decompose the outer layer of the bale. A darker film may also increase the temperature inside the bale and evaporate moisture on the outer layer. However, there is not enough research to know if this tactic is effective.
Another way to prevent surface mould is to wrap your bales with plastic. While plastic wrap does prevent surface mould, it does not prevent animals from making holes in it. It’s also possible for hail and tree limbs to cause holes in the plastic wrap, allowing ants to enter your bales.
Cost
When silage wrap is used in hay baling, the hay is preserved and kept fresh until it is eaten by livestock. By keeping the hay fresh and dry, livestock will prefer it over other feed and increase their weight. In addition, a silage wrap can prevent 1/3 of the bale from being lost to sunlight or bleaching.
Plastic-wrapped bales are popular among modern farmers. The plastic film has multiple layers that make it tear-resistant. The product is also field-tested for durability and comes with a twelve-month warranty. This method reduces the amount of space needed in the field. However, it requires close monitoring and attention to detail.
In the last few decades, the cost of plastic-wrapped bales has increased. The main benefits of this method include better leaf retention than dry hay, the lack of need to build storage structures, and reduced weather risk. However, this method is not cheap. It can cost up to $7-$8 per bale, including time, hauling, and landfill fees.
Silage wrap costs vary depending on the brand, colour, and supplier. The average roll of wrap costs about EUR83, including VAT. Other manufacturers of silage wrap include Glanbia, Mastercrop, and Coveris, all of which offer wrap at a lower price.
There are several models of individual bale wrappers available. The one with the most extended history is the one mounted in a central location. Another style is the stationary bale wrapper, which requires a squeeze on the loader to load the bale.