How to choose the good qulity silage wrap ? ( Sumarry )

The following is the Summary comes from Internet and it introduced that how to choose the good quality silage wrap .

When Farmers and contractors purchase the silage wrap, some elements need to be considered :

Film quality 
Film quality should always be the key consideration in the selection process. Manufacturing standards are not enforced for silage film, so it’s important to go with a well known and proven brand.

Next a whole series of questions arises: should I go for a high quality blown?, cast?, pre-stretch?, mono? or co-extrusion? And what does it all mean?

While there are two different manufacturing methods to create stretch film (blown or cast) blown film is the preferred manufacturing method to achieve a higher quality film. Blown film performs better than cast film in tear resistance, holding power, yield and cling making it ideal to contain silage. Cast manufactured bale wrap should be avoided; the higher air permeability causes poorer quality silage.

Mono or single layer blown film was used on the first ever bales to be wrapped. Technological developments in extrusion and resins have led to co-extruded (multi-layer) blown film and most recently to the range of pre-stretched films.The essential difference between mono and co-extruded blown film apart from the number of layers is the ability of manufacturers to draw on different resins with individual characteristics to enhance the films properties for performance.

For example, a co-extruded film may consist of a tough central layer to increase puncture and tear resistance, a soft inner layer to increase lamination for a tight air seal, and an outer layer with high UV stabilisers to offer maximum field life.

Presently, pre-stretched films represent the next generation in film technology. These are thinner silage films manufactured via a cold stretching process to optimise the blown film’s properties. This results in higher tear and UV resistance plus excellent air permeability, tack and film life. Pre-stretched film is stronger, more cost effective and generates less waste. The increased roll running lengths also reduce down time with fewer roll changes.

Pre-stretch films are available in a range of gauges and your selection should depend on your fodder handling and management systems. Multiple handling or transporting of wrapped bales is matched to the heavier gauge pre-stretch films. For extended film life and premium protection conventional 25 micron plastic or 30 micron films are best.

The use of 30 micron is more economical at four layers compared to 6 layers of 25 micron. It’s best to consult the manufacturer to ensure you select the correct gauge and achieve the maximum benefits of pre-stretch.

Film Application and Machine Maintenance
Next, application of silage film and machine maintenance also plays an important role in ensuring your silage film performs as intended.
There are three vital points to remember;

1. Central Application: The film must always be applied so the centre of the film roll touches the centre of the bale. If it’s too high or low, you’ll increase your wrapping costs and affect good film application.
If the completion of the first full coverage of the bale on both sides finishes on the same bale revolution, you’ll know the film height is correct.

2. Clean Rollers: All quality stretch films contain tackifiers that assist in the lamination of the film layers to create anaerobic (oxygen free) conditions required for a successful fermentation. This film tack builds up over a period of time on the pre-stretcher head rollers and causes inconsistent film stretching. The rollers must be regularly cleaned of this tack build up using a white sprit cleaner. Petrochemical products such as petrol or diesel should be avoided as they can react with the film affecting wrap performance. There are also speciality cleaners available.

3. Tension: The tension of the film pre-stretcher rollers against the film roll during application must be consistent throughout the entire roll length. With 10 years experience, I’ve found this is the most common issue faced during the busy wrapping season.

Worn or poorly maintained springs can reduce film yield, commonly noticed by loose or wrinkly film towards the end of the film roll. In severe cases the film “runs on” to catch and tear. A quick fix method with many of different brands of wrappers is to place shims behind the springs to increase the force, alternatively replace the worn springs.

Lastly, whether you’re using an individual turntable, satellite or tubeline wrapper there are several bale wrap options to give you the most economical bale wrap. Individual round and square bales need a minimum application of four film layers, applied with 50 percent film overlap and 55 percent pre-stretch to give satisfactory performance over the storage season.

Tubeline type wrappers for round and square bales need a minimum of six film layers. The additional layers are required with tubeline wrapping systems as the normal loss in bale dry matter creates stress on the film in the cross direction. Tubeline types are also ideally suited to the use of pre-stretch films as there is no additional stress applied to the film after wrapping.

Basically good silage wrapping and greater cost benefits are achieved when operational requirements and quality product meet with diligent maintenance and accurate application. It is also important to seek the right advice from informed parties. 

BPS Industries Corp.  can supply customers good quality silage wrap which suitable for both square and round bales.

" BeneAg " Silage Wrap - the best choice for the farmers and worldwide distributor ! ( Learn online Information )

As film technology and consumer requests have developed, more and more silage film options have become available.

Farmers and contractors now have a growing number of choices in film color, thickness, revolutions and manufacture. Selecting the most suitable bale wrap for your operation can prove difficult and your choice might not be the best if you do not have all the information you require.

To get the best outcome – i.e., a successful and efficient wrap every time – among the key things you need to consider are quality, film properties, application methods, maintenance and set up of machinery.

Silage wrap quality should always be the key consideration in the selection process. Manufacturing standards are not enforced for silage wrap, so it’s important to go with a well known and proven brand.

Next a whole series of questions arises: should I go for a high quality blown film?, cast film?, pre-stretched film? mono?  co-extrusion film? And what does it all mean?

The answer to selecting the right silage film to wrap your bales is based in matching your fodder handling and management systems with certain film characteristics.

BeneAg, BENEPAK, BPS are all quality silage film brands from BPS Industries Corp. and it offers a range of products to suit various bale wrap requirements.

BPS Industries Corp. is a specialist in this field and it can assist you in selecting the correct silage film for your needs.

Good silage wrapping and greater cost benefits are achieved when operational requirements and quality product meet with diligent maintenance and accurate application.

So it is important to seek the right advice from informed parties such as BPS Industries Corp.

Wrapping Bales

Some tips for wrapping bales:

★Do not over stretch the film, Ensure the maximum stretch rate of 70% is not exceeded.

★Apply a minimum of 4 layers at 50% overlap

★Inspect the bales regularly and repair any holes or other damage immediately with an approved repair tape.

★Store wrapped bales on ends only.

★Do not roll the wrapped bales as damage may occur.

★Ensure no chemicals come into contact with the film as this will cause premature breakdown.

★Use only approved baling twine.

★Prevent roll damage as this will cause the film to break when wrapping.

★Keep livestock away from wrapped bales.

★Store bales clear of vegetation that can damage the film.

★Inspect and repair any damage caused by rodents or other animals.

★Store unused film in a cool, dark, and dry area.

★This film will last for a minimum period of 12 months from time of wrapping when used in accordance with the above instructions.

★Take care handling this product as the weight excess 20kgs.

Handle the plastic with care. Throwing rolls around will damage the plastic, making it impossible for the wrap to unroll properly.

In hot weather, keep the roll boxed and in a shaded area until needed. This will limit excess tack coming out of the plastic. Film that is very tacky will cause tack build up on the stretch unit rollers, and result in the film ‘necking down’

Keep the rollers clean. Some tack will stick to the rollers whatever steps are taken, so make sure that they are cleaned using a white spirit between roll changes when the weather is hot. Dirty rollers will affect stretch percentage, and cause too much neck-down on the bale.

To measure that the correct amount of stretch is being achieved, mark or tape 2 points horizontally 10 inches apart on the roll after pulling the wrap through the pre-stretcher. Measure the distance once the wrap has been applied to the bale. For conventional film such as Silawrap, 55% stretch would mean a reading of 15.5 inches and 60% would mean a reading of 16 inches.
To check neck-down, the width of wrap on the bale should be 580mm to 610mm for 750mm ( 30 inch) wrap, and 380 to 410mm for 500mm (20 inch) wrap.

Always wrap bales within 2 hours of baling.
If wrapping in the field, move bales to the stack straight after wrapping.

Follow the bale wrapper manufacturer’s recommendations for setting up the machine.
On single bale wrappers, make sure that the centre of the bale and centre of the roll of film are horizontal. Take into account different bale sizes and adjust the height of the psu accordingly.

To ensure that 6 layers of film are applied, count the number of revolutions it takes to completely cover the bale once. Add one more and repeat twice.
So, if it takes 7 revolutions to cover the bale once, add 1 (= 8) and multiply by 3. Therefore, 24 revolutions are needed to apply six layers of film.

On in-line wrappers, the number of layers applied is adjusted by altering the number of inches the bale is moved forward per revolution of the hoop. To apply 6 layers on an inline wrapper (with 2 pre-stretchers) using a 30 inch (750mm) roll of film, adjust to a 5-inch movement. (30inches divided by 6 layers).

Buy a Good Plastic!

At this time of year, with snow on the ground and minus temperatures, thinking about buying balewrap may seem a little odd. However, the manufacturers and their sale people have been working on 2013 numbers for sometime. Many of the dealers have already decided which brand they will be going with, and will have some idea of where they think the price will be. And, while it may seem too cold to think of making baled silage, or any type of forage harvest right now, it is not long until March and the start of the growing season in warmer parts of the country.


I am going to congratulate you all for storing your equipment correctly, and so when it is time to use it, the machines will be ready (I wish!)



Therefore, make sure that you purchase a decent quality wrap. A product such as BeneAg silage wrap. A co-extruded film manufactured in China by the people who invented bale wrapping.

Web : www.bpsindustries.com/silagewrap.php

Why use silage bags?

Use Silage Bags (  www.bpsindustries.com/silagebag.php  )

There are many ways to store silage on your farm. Each farmer needs to find out what works for him or her. Most farmers consider bunkers, top unloading tower silos, and bagged silage before making their choice. Tower silos are the most widely used. Bunkers and silage bags have become more common in recent years.

Why use silage bags?

Bagged silage is a relatively new method that is becoming more widely used. Farmers may want to consider this option before deciding how to store silage on their farm. Among the possible advantages are:

• Lower total annual costs.


• Lower initial investment.


• Much of investment is in machinery; not in structures which are hard to sell if plans change.


• Low storage losses due to spoilage


• Higher quality silage.


• Potential to reduce work hazards.

Bagged silage has its disadvantages as well as advantages. However, in some situations it can improve silage management. Farmers need to compare advantages and disadvan­tages of different storage methods.

How much does bagging cost?

Table 1 below provides a comparison of the capital investment for different storage methods. When estimating how costly different alternatives are, it is very important to consider all costs; not only the cost of ownership of structures.

Table 1. Initial Capital Investment for Silage Storage (Holmes, 1995, modified)
Storage Capacity 1)	Concrete Stave Silo	Concrete Bunker Silo	Silage Bags
1,097 ton (384 ton DM) 2)	$73,825	$58,525	$33,895
2,194 ton (768 ton DM) 2)	$105,985	$78,945	$40,715
4,389 ton (1,536 ton DM) 2)	$202,345	$135,603	$54,355
1) Estimates assume 65% moisture content. 2) Storage capacities correspond to needs for 55, 110 & 219 cow herds (based on 7.0 ton forage per year per adult cow with replacement.

Table 2 below compares the TOTAL annual costs. These costs include ownership costs (interest and principal on capital invested in structures and equipment) as well as operational costs such as labor, maintenance, repairs, fuel, plastic, and property tax on taxable structures. The amount of spoilage (storage loss) is assigned a dollar value and included with operational costs.

Table 2. Total Annual Costs for Silage Storage (Holmes, 1995, modified)
Storage Capacity 1)	Concrete Stave Silo	Concrete Bunker Silo	Silage Bags
1,097 ton (384 ton DM) 2)	$17,502	$17,290	$14,703
2,194 ton (768 ton DM) 2)	$27,755	$28,219	$24,322
4,389 ton (1,536 ton DM) 2)	$53,702	$53,027	$43,562
1) Estimates assume 65% moisture content. 2) Storage capacities correspond to needs for 55, 110 & 219 cow herds (based on 7.0 ton forage per year per adult cow with replacement.

Will bagged silage save money?

• A farm with a 55 cow herd may save up to $2,800 per year by choosing to store all silage in bags rather than in new tower silos.
• A farm with a 220 cow herd may save up to $10,000 per year by using bags instead of new bunkers.

All financial comparisons depend on what assumptions are made and what numbers are used. Find out what the costs would be in your case.

Are silage bags safer?

Storing silage in bags may help reduce the conventional safety hazards associated with silage work. Because of the low storage height, there is little danger of falls from elevation. Silage gas exposure can occur, but the hazard is greatly reduced because of the natural ventilation outdoors. Thus, more widespread use of bagged silage may help to reduce the overall number of silage-related injuries.

You can get more information on silage storage alternatives by contacting your county extension agent.

Source: University of Wisconsin Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project, July 2000; second edition.
Authors: Gunnar Josefsson, Marcia Miquelon & Larry Chapman, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, 460 Henry Mall, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706.

Wrapped Bale Silage for High Silage Quality

Silage is made on most farms but, surprisingly, less than half conserve it in the form of wrapped bales. With this is mind we asked Nigel Ford of All Things Rural to set out the basic ground rules for anybody considering introducing balewrapping technology to their farming system. 

Producing silage is no longer considered just another seasonal job but is now regarded as a highly developed science that requires care and attention.

During the 1970’s the first polyethylene silage bags were used in the UK. Results were variable, due to excess air left inside and difficulty sealing the neck of the bag. Around 1985 the benefits of wrapping silage bales in balewrap stretchfilm were recognised and launched in the UK on a large scale. They quickly replaced the laborious system of bagging. The machinery steadily improved and led to the latest generation of automated wrappers. The system has proved popular and now accounts for an increasing share of the total silage market.

Why preserve by wrappingEach wrapped silage bale is in effect an individual silo. This means that each crop can be harvested and preserved individually according to its maturity as opposed to bulk silage, where crops of different nutritional values are likely to be together. This enables material of high yielding autumn calvers whereas lower value crops would be better suited to dry cows.

The wrapped silage system is very flexible. Bales are easy to store and can be left in several locations around the farm. The likelihood of effluent is extremely small because each bale is sealed and usually has a higher dry matter content than clamped silage. Of course, compared with haymaking the results are less dependent on fine weather. Additional investment in wrapping machinery may be required but these initial costs can be avoided by using contractors.

Wrapped silage is transportable and therefore can provide a cash sale in times of surplus. Where summer grass is scarce it can prove invaluable. Bale wrapping is an ideal way to preserve surplus silage on farms where bulk storage is in use and the clamps are full. In these situations it can also be useful when only a few animals are being fed, when it would not be ideal to open the clamp.

Cutting for silage

Wrapped Bale Silage for High Silage QualityWhen ensiling forage it is important to preserve as much of the nutritional value as possible. The nutritional value of the crop can be defined as the energy and protein content per kg of DM. Feed intake and live weight gain of livestock will be affected by it. And so the nutritional value is affected by the crop, the time of harvesting, choice of fertilisers and also the degree of accuracy of harvesting and preservation processes.

When crops are cut early and there is a balance between energy and protein they will have a high nutritional value. Timing of harvest is critical. Normal sugar-rich grass crops, intended for silage will give good results. On the other hand, the practise of wrapping late cut hay to save it from rain can result in extensive mould spoilage.

Clean crops are of vital importance to producing hygienic forage. Contamination can have a disastrous effect, even in a completely oxygen free bale. Losses can be extensive if fungi are exposed to air inside the bale allowing moulds and spoilage to occur.

For example, even a dead rabbit can cause contamination if picked up in the bale and represents a danger of the very toxic poison, botulin, an anaerobic organism that thrives in the absence of air. This is a high risk with bales of low dry matter content. Feeding this silage can have fatal consequences.

Farmyard manure spread at the wrong time can also create problems and applications are best carried out before the crop starts actively growing.

One of the ways to prevent the growth of undesirable bacteria is with the correct degree of wilting and the careful use of suitable additives. By ensuring the bales are as dense and well shaped as possible, so that the air spaces within are small, fungal growth can be minimised. Whole crop and maize has been successfully wrapped but it is generally more difficult to compress these ‘coarse’ crops sufficiently with existing balers.

Mowing and wiltingThe timing of cutting is important to retain nutritional value and also to enable the baler to adequately compress the crop and produce a dense, well-shaped bale. Although the weather will determine time of cutting, mowing should take place just as the seed heads start to appear on the grass crop.

Once the crop has been cut, moisture will be lost through evaporation. Moisture loss is greatest during the first hour or two immediately after cutting and it may be desirable to cut and spread grass before rowing up. However, it is important not to contaminate the forage with soil and other debris as this will lead to poor quality silage.

In favourable conditions, the aim should be for a wilting period of no more than 24-36 hours. Do not leave the swath for more than 2-3 days but if this is unavoidable a suitable additive should be used. In damp, warm conditions moulds grow rapidly in the swath.

Wilting is one of the most important phases of successful baled silage making. It is important both for good fermentation and sufficient bale density. A DM content of between 35-45 per cent should be obtained to get good results. For wrapped silage, there should be no need for additives beyond 40 per cent DM. if moulds do occur under these conditions; they are likely to be because of poor wrapping or damage to the film after wrapping.

Wilting also affects bale density, which is directly related to the degree of compression. During the short period of time involved in compression of the crop no baler can dehydrate the plant entirely. However, if the cells have already been dehydrated, the baler then has a good chance of producing dense, well-shaped bales.

It is important to bear in mind that though some bales of low dry matter may be heavy; they are not necessarily dense. Correct DM content is essential to minimise labour, machinery and film costs. Well-wilted bales keep their shape after good compression and can be stacked without problems.

AdditivesWhere weather conditions are not good and the crop is deteriorating rapidly, an attempt to salvage as much as possible must be made. Wet crops are at high risk of bacterial growth. This is where additives come into their own.

Formic acid is an organic additive that hinders the growth of negative micro-organisms and decreases the pH level of the crop.

Salts of both inorganic and organic acids are available for application in powder and liquid form. Sodium nitrate and hexamethylene tetramine will help prevent microbial growth, especially that of clostridia. Molasses, a natural product containing 50 per cent sugar, is added to stimulate lactic acid production by boosting the existing level of fermentable sugars. It is safe to handle and being of a high density, it has a positive effect on bale density by filling in air spaces. The crop should be wilted to DM content where there will be no effulent. 

The use of inoculants, which are freeze dried lactic acid producing bacteria, has become common in recent years. The idea is to add a high concentration of the bacteria in a water solution when baling.

The Stretchfilm

Stretchfilm for bale wrapping must be of high quality in order to meet a number of requirements. It should include UV stabilisers to avoid film degradation in strong sunlight and have a high level of tack to help ensure the cut end sticks to the bale and the seal remains intact during storage.

Trials have shown that lighter coloured film such as pale green or white reflects more sunlight than black film, which absorbs it. This can cause great variations of temperature within the bale and nutrients can be damaged as a result. Also lighter coloured film has fewer tendencies to overstretch in hot weather ensuring better overlap in film layers.

By tightly applying 6 layers of good quality stretchfilm the circulation of oxygen is considerably reduced. The resulting lower nutritional losses are reflected in savings, which can be considerable when compared with the cost of the film.

Handling and StorageCareful handling and storage of bales is important to ensure that the film remains undamaged and tight. It is useful to remember that the overall thickness of 6 layers of film will only be about 0.1mm. To protect the film, a purpose built handler is therefore necessary.

Round bales are best stored upright, as there is much more film on the flat ends for protection. Bales of high low dry matter should be stored in single layers to avoid pressure on the seals of the lower bales if they are stacked.

Wrapped square bales should be stacked immediately after wrapping and any bales which are ‘banana shaped’ should be stacked with the concave side facing downwards.

If the film is to remain tight and undamaged bales must be protected from birds and other animals. A storage site away from trees should be selected and a bed of fine material such as sand should be used as a base. If the site is in a field with farm animals a fence should be erected around the bales.

Making the best wrapped bale silage

WITH advice from experts, plastic producers and machinery manufacturers, James Rickard compiles top ten tips for round bale wrapping.

Swath and bale density

Good wrapping techniques start with baling – a badly shaped round bale cannot be wrapped properly, says Claas baler specialist Ian Brydson.

He says bales should be dense and cylindrical in shape, not bulging in the middle or conical shaped, and to achieve this crop flow is key – starting with the swath.

Mr Brydson says: “It should be uniform in shape and cover the full width of the pick-up reel – an operator shouldn’t have to weave around chasing narrow rows.”

Developments in baler technology have also made a big difference. “Roller crop presses and intake rotors, which force material into the chamber, really help with bale density.

“The density gap between fixed chamber and variable chamber round balers has also dramatically narrowed over the years. It really depends on crop type as to which one you use rather than bale density now.”

He adds maintenance and set-up are also factors in producing decent bales. “The baler should be serviced regularly and the chamber density set according to the crop.”

Dr David Davies, a director at Silage Solutions, says higher bale density can also be achieved with chopping. “Chopped bales are at least 10 per cent heavier than their unchopped counterparts helping to reduce the cost of production.

“Other advantages include a reduction in the amount of oxygen trapped in the bale and it releases sugar, which encourages a more rapid lactic acid fermentation. Both factors increase silage quality and reduce the risk of undesirable microorganisms, such as yeasts, moulds and listeria.”

Film stretch

To prevent downtime and inefficient use of plastic, several pre-season and in-season checks can be made.

Lloyd Dawson, a BPI Minster Films sales manager, says: “Bale wrapping machinery is like every other type of machinery – a long period without use can encourage decay and increase the risk of important parts failing once it is back in use.”

Before use, Mr Dawson recommends:

• All moving parts are free, in particular the Pre Stretch Unit (PSU) which can cease or stiffen up out of season.
• Check PSU and turntable gearing for wear and tear.
• Check PSU rollers for any damage and thoroughly clean down with de-greaser.
• Check PSU springs and replace if necessary. Dosed springs, dirty or worn-out rollers will cause aquaplaning, film tearing and uneven film application.

The correct amount of film stretch can be measured (see diagram A), and adjusted if necessary, by wrapping a straw bale before the season starts, says Mr Dawson. To do this, make two marks horizontally on the film reel 100mm apart. Slowly commence wrapping and locate these marks on the bale surface and measure the distance between them. For example, for 70 per cent stretch, the marks should be 170mm apart (see diagram B).

Overlap

Film wrap manufacturer Silotite says film overlap should be no less than 50 per cent.

To achieve this, check that when on the wrapper, the centre of the bale is horizontally in-line with the centre of the film reel (see diagram C). Wear and tear of all belts should be checked and even if only one of them is damaged or worn they should be replaced.

Silotite says badly aligned and worn belts will affect overlap.

Number of layers

Ensure a minimum of four layers is applied to bales with up to 50 per cent dry matter, and at least six layers for those over 50 per cent dry matter and coarse crop natured bales, says Silotite.

A recent experiment, undertaken by the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, demonstrated using six layers instead of four improved fermentation, created a better oxygen barrier and reduced moulds and dry matter losses.

However, it also revealed eight layers to be excessive. The extra cost was calculated at £0.71 per bale for six layers and £1.43 for eight layers. The cost saving in terms of the extra dry matter and sugar recovered was calculated at £1.37 and £2.52 respectively.

In return on cost terms, six layers gives 92 per cent but eight layers achieves only 76 per cent.

Where to wrap and handling

Wrap at the stacking area if possible, but if not, move bales from the field immediately after wrapping.

Dr Davies says: “Once forage has been harvested, the single biggest factor affecting silage quality is oxygen. If oxygen penetrates a bale it can cause reduced fermentation quality, increased losses of dry matter and nutrients, wastage due to mould growth and sometimes animal health problems.”

Mr Brydson says due to baler and wrapper developments, many farmers and contractors often wrap in-field.

Dr Davies adds while most will be aware of the importance of not damaging the wrap, many will be unaware of the potential problems of incorrect bale handling.

He says: “Even when using a squeezer, oxygen will enter a bale every time it is handled. This is because as the grab squeezes the bale to lift it, the gasses inside the wrap are pushed out. Once the bale is released, air from outside is sucked back in to fill the vacuum left behind.

“If silage bales are moved within the first eight hours of wrapping, then the use of a bale grab will have less of an adverse affect. This is due to the gases inside the wrap still being very similar to those outside. A denser-made bale will change shape less resulting in less gas exchange.”

Dr Davies also warns extra care should be taken when dropping bales off the wrapper. “One of the biggest problems is the stubble left in the field which, as bales drop off the wrapper, can puncture the bale as it lands. This is more of a problem with stalky crops, such as barley pea mixtures, etc.”

Wrapping at the stack is considered the best option, says Dr Davies. However, this method is not without its own problems. “Often unwrapped silage bales are moved to the stack by spiking, greatly increasing the risk of oxygen-related problems by creating a core through the centre of the bale,” he says.

“Also, if the wrap is damaged at a later stage, that central core is likely to become a centre for mould growth. As a result farmers should avoid spiking whenever possible, even unwrapped bales.”

Storage and protection

Once wrapped, the correct storage of bales is vital to preserve and retain the quality and nutritional value of the feed.

BPI Minster Films sales director Barry Buckley offers these stacking and storage tips:

• Stack bales as soon as possible after wrapping – certainly within 24 hours.
• Remember field-wrapped bales are particularly prone to bird damage from the moment they are wrapped.
• Choose a storage site away from trees and very exposed areas.
• The site should be well-drained, level and devoid of sharp objects.
• If practical, a sand base layer is recommended. Ideally, roll out a protective layer of heavy gauge polythene sheeting underneath the stack.
• Where necessary, protect the stack from farm animals with suitable fencing.
• Vermin should be discouraged by placing weather-protected bait stations around the stack perimeter. Ensure these are also protected from pets and farm animals.
• Once stacked, always protect from birds by applying a close woven polypropylene net. Support the net so it is not in direct contact with the surface of the bales where birds could land and reach through the net.
• Do not store bales near watercourses. Advice is available from your local water authority.
• Keep fertilisers, herbicides, mineral oils, etc. away from the stack as these can damage the film.
• Do not stack bales more than three high. Bales of low dry matter (heavier) should be stored in a single layer. This prevents bales at the bottom being squashed under the weight and ‘blowing’ the wrap’s seal.
• Regularly check bales for damage and re-seal with a UV protective tape.

http://www.bpsindustries.com/silagewrap.php

Little details make all the difference in baleage ( Reported )

by Kate Halstead
The author is with agriculture programs, Washington State University Snohomish County Extension.

Making bale silage is a combination of science and art.
Mastering the details will lead to the best possible forage.

A good tight bale of hay silage with the proper moisture content, carefully wrapped with at least four layers of plastic, and properly stored can remain palatable and nutritious for over two years.

There’s a lot more to making top-notch bale silage than simply achieving proper fermentation and harvesting at the proper maturity and moisture. At a Washington State University field day, WSU nutrient management specialist Joe Harrison and forage farmers Karl Hereth and Bruce Gregory shared their thoughts on what it takes to be successful when making bale silage or baleage.

While the science explains what conditions make for good and bad hay silage, it often doesn’t provide the practical details that can make for success or failure. It’s the farmers actually producing the hay silage who discover the tricks of the trade through trial and error.

Fertilizer, seeding, and pesticides. Adding 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre between first and second cuttings either with manure or fertilizer ensures grass pastures remain actively growing throughout the season. Most fields have weed pressures that build over time. While yearly spraying may be necessary for the worst, most can get by with a broadleaf herbicide spray every other year after first cutting. Reseeding with a straight orchardgrass every fourth year works well in western Washington to ensure maximum production.

Timing. Since sugars are highest in the afternoon, mowing at that time is ideal. Since that isn’t practical for larger acreages, the recommendation is to wait until the dew has dried off the grass in the morning to start mowing and finish as the sun goes down and before the evening dew starts to rise during the first hours of dusk.
Baling should take place as soon after cutting as possible. With temperatures above 65 degrees, it can often take place the day after cutting. When temperatures are higher, optimum moisture levels are often attained within 6 to 12 hours. When those conditions are prevalent, rule of thumb is to not cut more than you can bale and wrap before moisture levels drop too low for good hay silage.

Using inoculants. Addition of a bacterial inoculant can ensure a consistently good fermentation. Bacteria sometimes exist by the billions throughout a typical pasture and only need the right set of conditions to start the fermentation process inside a wrapped bale. However, there are occasions when an inoculant can improve the odds. Cuttings done later in the fall, when temperatures are cooler or after a frost, can be helped with the addition of an inoculant to ensure fermentation, even with the cooler temperatures.

Inoculants and acid-based additives can also help boost the shelf life of an opened bale by several days for smaller operations.
Rain. Keeping a constant ear to the weather forecasts is key to developing the timing needed to cut at optimum maturity, dry to the proper moisture level, bale, and wrap before a rain moves through.

If a soaking rain is predicted before the ideal moisture level is attained, it’s better to bale and wrap at a higher moisture level than to reduce nutritional levels through the rain leaching nutrients and going through another drying, tedding, and conditioning cycle. If the rain predicted is light, it will likely be better to wait before baling.

Weight. The trade-off in using large bales is weight. Depending on how high the moisture content was when the bales were wrapped, large bales can easily top the scales at well over a ton. Keeping the moisture content a little lower, less than 50 percent, can help make the larger bales a bit lighter while still providing a quality product. In addition, there will be more dry matter available per bale, helping keep consumption rates slower than with a wetter product.

Cutting knives. Some balers are set up with cutting knives set 3 to 4 inches apart. You can often remove every other one and double the distance between cuts without sacrificing quality or fermentation time. This also helps save fuel and time when baling. Since they should be sharpened after every cutting, using half the knives can mean each full set lasts twice as long before replacement.

Depending on how the bales are used, the longer fibers can help maintain bale integrity during handling after the wrap comes off. Bales made with all the knives in place break apart readily after the wrap is removed, sometimes even with the netting still in place.

Feeding. If you end up with some bales at a higher moisture content, above 65 to 70 percent, feed them soon after baling, usually within one to two months. Mix them at least 50-50 with drier bales, or there will be some weight loss. When used in grass-fed operations, be sure to introduce hay silage gradually to animals in the fall, and wean them slowly back onto fresh pasture in the spring.

Plastic disposal. Many regions now have collection services that will provide a dumpster to collect the used netting and bale wrap for recycling. Check with local waste disposal services or extension offices to find out what options exist in your area.

Try it, you might like it . . .
Like any other farming endeavor, making quality hay silage takes some science, some know-how, and a little weather luck. While making round bale silage may not be the ideal answer for every operation’s feed challenges, the rapid growth of the product for livestock producers large and small, coupled with the growing price of traditional feedstocks, makes it worth serious consideration.