Silage wrap is an excellent addition to any hay baling operation. It can be made of several materials, including plastic, twine, or netwrap. The benefits of using silage wrap are numerous. The material can be used in various ways and requires very little maintenance.
Netwrap
Silage wrap from https://unipak.com.au/silage-wrap offers several benefits for hay baling. For starters, they prevent bales from becoming mushy, which makes removing and feeding them easier. Additionally, they provide excellent weather protection. They can also be removed easily, making it easier to move around the farm.
Another benefit is increased productivity. Because a net wrap does not require twine to wrap a bale, the operator can complete more bales in a given time. Bales wrapped with net wrap also have a smoother surface, which makes them easier to move. They also retain more leaves and tend to produce higher quality bales.
Silage wrap features multiple layers, which helps prevent oxygen from escaping. The outer layer contains a UV stabilizer, while the inner layer is more puncture-resistant. The wrap thickness is indicated by the millimetres on the size label. Wrapping should be completed within 24 hours of baling. If not, the bales could develop mould and spoilage.
The most common application for the net wrap is hay and straw. The material prevents hay from coming into contact with air, keeping it from mould and fungus. It also helps absorb shocks during transport. Furthermore, a net wrap can also prevent animals from entering the bales.
Another benefit of net wraps is that they make bales more secure. However, some concerns have surfaced about the safety of netting. Some producers worry that net wraps may cause stomach problems in livestock and that they can damage machinery. Furthermore, the removal of net wraps from bales is not an easy task. Consequently, it is advisable to discard used netting properly.
The removal of silage wrap can be easily performed with the use of a knife. If net wraps are tangled, a hot knife can be used to cut through them. It is beneficial in winter when the net wrap can become frozen. However, the removal process depends on the type of bale feeder you use.
Twine
The net wrap could be the perfect solution if you’re looking for an alternative to twine when hay is baling. It is easy to use, weather resistant and can be moved easily. It also repels moisture, which improves the quality of hay. In addition, net wrap requires only one to two turns per bale than twine. Nets also reduce fuel costs, which is essential in this industry.
While using a bale wrapper, you’ll have to consider the costs. A silage wrap costs around PS15 per bale for good-quality feed. It means that every dollar you save is worth about PS15 per bale. It means the cost of using the wrapper should be less than purchasing six film layers.
Aside from providing a protective environment for the crop, it also helps storage. Using six mil film on a bale will help maximize fermentation and keep the feed fresh and free from air contaminants. According to research by the Centre for Dairy Research at the University of Reading, silage wrap on an 800kg+ bale will reduce the loss of feed value by less than one percent.
Using a net wrap will improve the efficiency of the baling process by as much as 35 percent. In addition, the wrapped bales will be more resistant to moisture and pests. Finally, the wrap’s red, white, and blue colours will make the bales look great against the farm’s backdrop.
Using biodegradable twine will also help reduce your operating costs and negative environmental impact. Biodegradable silage twine will be able to support larger bales without deforming them. Furthermore, it can be used with modern greenhouse structures, which use twines for supporting crops.
However, a few layers may not provide much protection, so that a higher layer count may be necessary. It’s essential to consider the thickness of the film before purchasing it. A thicker film will prevent moisture from penetrating the bale. It should also prevent wicking moisture up from the ground.