Protecting hay bales is a crucial part of the harvesting process. It minimizes exposure to elements that cause spoilage and prevents the loss of valuable nutrients.
1. Environmentally friendly
The environment is a major concern for farmers around the world, especially when it comes to the way the heavy use of plastics and greenhouse gases has degraded our planet. Manufacturers have been promoting change in utilities and tools for a long time, and one of the latest innovations in this industry is an eco-friendly and biodegradable silage wrap that’s expected to bring about a greener farming operation and reduce global waste.
Bales of hay and silage are wrapped to prevent spoilage, preserve the quality of the forage and maintain the nutritional value. When wrapping bales, it’s important to consider the percentage of moisture, nutrient value, and weather conditions to ensure a tight seal. It helps to prevent the onset of fermentation, which can lead to high levels of butyric acid and ammonia.
While many farmers are using traditional netting and plastic to wrap bales, the process is labour-intensive and creates environmental concerns. The use of plastic also leads to chemical contamination, which can have a direct impact on the health of livestock and cause stomachaches, premature miscarriages, or other illnesses.
Unlike other plastics, biodegradable silage film is made from environmentally friendly materials and is recyclable when facilities exist. It can also be disposed of in modern landfills, which will accelerate its breakdown into organic matter without releasing microplastics or other contaminants into the atmosphere.
2. Durable
Bales that are not covered by biodegradable silage wrap are susceptible to loss of dry matter and nutrient content. These losses can be costly, especially as hay becomes more expensive, and farmers are looking for ways to cut costs without cutting corners. Using plastic to wrap hay bales reduces storage and handling losses compared to traditional twine and also decreases weather damage risk.
Silage wrap is typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This type of plastic has great tensile strength, durability and resistance to moisture. It makes it ideal for wrapping and preserving crops. It is a cost-effective option for farmers and works well on all types of hay. The durability of bale wrap ensures that hay remains fresh and nutritious for livestock while decreasing food waste.
To ensure that hay is properly wrapped, producers should consider the location of their barns and fields when choosing baling locations. It is recommended that hay be wrapped as close to where it will be stored as possible to minimize handling and the risk of damage. Additionally, the bales should be left undisturbed for up to 24 hours after being wrapped to prevent bursting due to fermentation gases. It is also important to remove binding from the hay before grinding to avoid ingestion by livestock. Binding is not digestible and can lead to rumen problems.
3. Economical
Silage wrap is a crucial component of modern agriculture, used to preserve and protect crops for later consumption. It is typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and has a combination of flexibility, strength and resistance to water that makes it an ideal material for this purpose. LDPE is also a recyclable material, making it an ideal option for farmers who are looking to reduce the impact of their waste on the environment.
Silage wraps are important for hay producers because they can preserve the forage over time, which helps increase the nutritional value of the feed and improves livestock health. However, it’s essential to make sure that the hay is properly wrapped to avoid spoilage and other potential problems. Bales should be stored away from trees to prevent rainwater saturation and ground moisture absorption and should be stacked no more than three high to avoid tears in the bale wrap.
Using biodegradable silage wrap for hay baling can help to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated in agriculture. However, it’s important to remember that not all plastics are safe for use in agriculture and should be disposed of properly. For example, plastic net wrap is not suitable for burning and should be stowed during transport and disposed of through household trash services.
Forage is cut and dried to make hay bales that are then fed to livestock and other animals, such as guinea pigs and rabbits. Bales can be preserved with a variety of wrapping methods, including netting and twine, to protect the forage from the elements. The forage must be protected in order to ensure that it remains palatable and healthy for the livestock, but it cannot be easy to find a suitable solution.
