Category: Farming

After visiting a landfill and watching farmers ploughing their fields, students in Russell, Ontario, came up with an idea for a bale wrap that keeps the sun and snow off. It even burns better than plastic when it’s time for disposal. Wrap silage bales as soon as possible to reduce aerobic deterioration. Use a minimum of six layers of quality plastic. Check the wrap often to patch holes. Store in a well-drained site free from hay stubble or rodent damage. For more heavy duty bale wrap, click here. Keeps Forage Moisture Out Using high-density bale wrap helps keep moisture from damaging the hay. It’s essential to use it for high-moisture forages, as they can be more difficult to dry than traditional dry hay. This can result in hay loss and unpalatable feed for your cattle. Compared to drying dry hay, wrapping high-moisture hay can reduce hay loss by 20% or more. Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy, says wrapping wet forages can be cost-effective. He recommends harvesting the forage at 45% to 55% moisture and wrapping it within two hours of baling. This allows the forage to ferment in a protected environment, preserving hay quality through anaerobic conditions and acid production. The wrap prevents oxidation, and the tight seal keeps oxygen out. For best results, use a minimum of six wraps of high-quality, blown polyethylene film. Bales wrapped with netwrap also tend to retain their shape better and are less likely to puncture when stacked with twine. Keeps Forage Moisture In High-moisture bale wrap provides a significant benefit to farmers, increasing hay quality and reducing hay loss. It is essential when storing high-moisture forage, which can experience losses of 20% to 30%** during harvesting, storage and handling. For more heavy duty bale wrap, click here. Wrapping hay at the proper moisture level is critical to achieving optimal forage quality and digestibility. A study comparing silage wrapped within 4 hours of baling and those delayed by 48 hours found lower forage quality, increased mould and higher internal temperatures in unwrapped bales. The optimum moisture for baleage is between 45% and 55%, as this range creates the best conditions for fermentation. Do not make bales too low in moisture, as the resulting anaerobic conditions will cause spoilage very quickly. Wrapping bales at this level also requires more layers of film to exclude oxygen and prevent aerobic deterioration. Do not crimp or stretch the film while wrapping, as this can break down the plastic and expose the bale to oxygen, re-starting the aerobic phase. Store wrapped bales in a well-drained, weed-free area that is safe from rodents and birds. Periodically check bales for holes and damage and repair any tears or rips. Easy to Store Bales must be transported and stored correctly to ensure the best quality hay or haylage. A high-quality crop, excellent bale wrap, and top-notch wrapping system will be wasted if a bale is mishandled or stored incorrectly. When storing round bales, stack them with the twine side down so they’re less likely to deform and lose shape. This will allow for up to 4x as many wraps on the ends compared to the sides, which reduces puncturing and enhances ensiling and nutrition. The robust and 5-layer construction of this bale wrap film makes it highly puncture resistant with a high air permeability rating to reduce unwanted air infiltration. It’s also UV-stabilised to prevent damage from harmful sunlight during storage and transport. For more heavy duty bale wrap, click here. Our bale wraps are also compatible with most brands of round balers. Our TL70 automatic bale wrapper can be used with these rolls of silage wrap to save time and effort during harvest season. The machine automatically wraps a single or double layer of bale wrap around each round bale, allowing you to complete the task faster and with more accuracy. Durable Unlike twine, which can degrade plastic wrap and create holes that allow moisture in, netwrap holds the bale together and is rodent-resistant. It also prevents yeast and mould growth, which helps protect the bale’s value. A medium-sized dairy farm saw significant improvements in hay quality with the use of net wrap on a wet forage crop, resulting in increased nutrient content for the sheep. The farm also noticed better efficiency in handling, transporting, and storing the bales.

While baling twine is an excellent tool for binding straw and hay into bales, it must be disposed of sustainably. Otherwise, it can harm the environment and animals. When choosing baling twine, look for one that has UV stabilization. This will help it last longer and resist moisture. It’s Strong The strands that makeup baling twine are made from durable materials. This type of twine is used to pack hay and straw bales for livestock. It can also be used as an alternative to metal wire for fencing and to store cereal crops. It is resistant to mildew and rot. Traditionally, baling twine has been made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene and nylon. These types of twine don’t decompose quickly and can linger in the environment for years, posing a threat to wildlife and causing environmental pollution. They can also entangle with farm equipment and create trip hazards. However, natural fibre twines like sisal and jute offer an eco-friendly solution. These twines are biodegradable and compostable, reducing the chemicals and materials entering the ecosystem. In addition, they can also be oven-safe. On the other hand, synthetic yarns can release dangerous toxins when heated and should never be used in cooking applications. It’s Reusable Twine is used to bind hay or straw into bales and store them for later use. It is an environmentally friendly choice for farmers looking to reduce their carbon footprint and limit environmental harm. But, when it comes to disposing of it, many farmers struggle with finding the right solution. Landfill disposal can harm the environment as the plastic baling twine does not decompose quickly. Burning it also releases toxic chemicals into the air and soil, which can lead to health problems in humans and animals. Fortunately, baling twine can be recycled. The TCRS (Twine Collection and Recycling Site) in Laurel, Montana, is where farmers can drop off clean, dry baling cords reprocessed into beads. These beads are then turned into products such as outdoor tanks, flowerpots and bins. The TCRS will accept small or large deliveries of baling twine. However, the string mustn’t be wet or contaminated. This can cause a problem with the reprocessing. In addition, the twine must be 100% clean and dry to be usable for other products. It’s Eco-Friendly Baling twine is made of natural fibre, better for the environment than synthetic twine. It’s also biodegradable and doesn’t contribute to landfill waste, a big problem in our world. It also doesn’t clog sewers like other synthetic twine does. Synthetic twines typically end up in landfills, taking half a century or more to break down, causing environmental pollution and harming wildlife. They can also clog machinery, gum up equipment, and be eaten by livestock and cattle (causing digestive issues and even death). By choosing sustainable twine from materials such as sisal and hemp, you can ensure that you’re contributing to protecting our environment and doing your part in preserving the planet. You can also opt for twine solutions made of recycled raw materials or biodegradable materials, which will help you reduce your impact on the environment even further. It’s Durable Baling twine is durable and affordable, making it an excellent choice for farmers and agricultural businesses. It can also be recycled, reducing the need for new twine and helping to protect the environment. Twine is often made from either natural or synthetic fibres, with polypropylene being the most common choice due to its durability and strength. However, natural fibres like sisal can be more environmentally friendly and are often reusable. In addition to being used in baling machinery, twine can be helpful for many other tasks. For example, it can create a lead rope or lunge line for horses. It can also be used to secure hay bales together or quickly fix a fence. Unfortunately, many forms of twine can be dangerous to wildlife. In some cases, if left in a raptor’s nest, it can entangle them and cause injury or death. It can also pose a fire risk if improperly disposed of and be a trip hazard for farm equipment. Thankfully, innovative solutions, such as reusable clips and ties, are being developed to reduce the need for twine altogether. It’s Affordable A farmer can’t afford to spend much money on baler twine. However, they must have it on hand. It is a convenient and affordable solution to fix many tack mishaps, from bridle and stirrup leathers to head checks and harness adjustments. It’s also the go-to solution for fence repair. Baling twine helps patch holes until a proper repair can be made. Today’s synthetic baler twine is made from many fine strands of a plastic polymer. This makes it solid and durable. It has a higher tensile strength than sisal twine and can endure the harsh conditions of a big square baler machine. It won’t degrade or rot and also resists animal and insect problems. Check out Coastal’s full selection of baler twine for your next project. We carry both small and large round baler twine for all types of balers. We also stock a variety of sizes from trusted brands, including some made-in-the-USA options like our BridonMAX and RHINO. These products feature Titeloc fibrillation technology, which increases knot-holding capability and prevents “popped” knots that can break bales.