There are several benefits to using bale wrap in hay baling. These include limiting the space needed for in-field storage and preventing damage and aerobic deterioration.
Avoiding damage
Bale wrap for hay can be a valuable tool for preventing damage in the field. When used correctly, it can help maintain the quality and integrity of your bales.
The correct choice of film can also minimize air leakage. It can make a difference in keeping moisture in the bale and limiting oxygen. Depending on your needs, you may need to use more than one film layer.
Limiting oxygen as much as possible is a good idea regardless of your bale’s moisture level. It can also help preserve the nutritional value of your hay for your livestock.
The amount of oxygen your bales contain is important because microorganisms in your hay can damage the crop if they have enough air to breathe. By restricting oxygen, you can also prevent mould growth and spontaneous combustion.
Using a dark-coloured plastic film can also raise the temperature of your bale’s outer layer. It is because it acts as a vaporizer and theoretically evaporates any excess moisture on the bale’s surface. However, research has yet to be done on whether this is the case.
You may want to check your bales monthly to ensure they don’t have any holes or tears. Also, ensure your bales aren’t stored in areas with sharp stubble. It could allow air to flow through the film and cause holes to form.
It’s best to wrap your bales as soon as possible after you collect them. Leaving them unwrapped for too long can lead to spoilage. It would be best if you were careful not to move them during fermentation. It can lead to bales bursting.
When you’re wrapping bales, don’t overload your baler. Ideally, it would be best to load evenly from side to side. It would be best if you tried to stack your bales on the barrel’s side. It is because sagging bales will allow air to flow through the film.
Preventing aerobic deterioration
Preventing aerobic deterioration with bale wrap is critical in hay baling. It can affect the final nutritional value of the bale. Several factors contribute to the deterioration of bales. Fortunately, wrapping bales early reduces internal temperature and prevents mould growth. Using a quality wrap can also help improve the quality of the bale.
Baling high-moisture forages can help farmers get out in the field faster and decrease the impact of weather on operations. It is particularly important in the case of random storms. In addition, it can help to reduce the cost of harvesting.
In addition to wrapping bales, it may be useful to use a plastic barrier, such as an oxygen-limiting barrier, to limit the transfer of oxygen through the film to the air. It can reduce the number of films used and the cost of film disposal.
Several producers have migrated away from preformed silage bags. Instead, they have installed mechanized wrappers that apply multiple layers of stretch polyethylene film.
The benefits of this system include reduced field losses, less specialized equipment, and theoretically unlimited storage capacity. Nevertheless, it cannot be easy to maintain a consistent nutritional value and quality of the finished bales. Some producers have found that incorporating an oxygen-limiting barrier into the PE film can decrease costs and increase impermeability to the air.
For hay bales, a minimum of six layers of PE film should be wrapped. The cumulative thickness of the PE film should be six mil (0.0152 mm).
If a PE-film wrap is punctured by birds or vermin, it can be a source of contamination and may result in nutritional quality losses. Therefore, a good PE film wrap should be applied promptly.
Limiting the availability of oxygen
When hay is baling, it’s important to limit the availability of oxygen inside the bale to reduce spoilage. If oxygen enters the bale, microorganisms ferment the hay’s sugars into lactic acid. The lactic acid lowers the pH of the bale, thus inhibiting the growth of destructive organisms.
The key is to wrap the bale with plastic as soon as possible after baling. Depending on the moisture content of the hay, a film of 6 mil to 1 mil may be sufficient. The longer the storage period, the more film layers may be necessary.
There are several advantages to limiting the available oxygen inside the bale. The most obvious is that it will preserve the forage’s nutritional value for the livestock. It will also help reduce the costs of wrapping the hay.
Using an oxygen-limiting barrier within PE films has improved the preservation of baled silages. The limiting barrier limits the flow of oxygen across the film’s layers and can significantly lower the oxygen consumption of the bale. It has been tested in several different experiments. However, there are mixed results.
The most common concern among producers is how long baled silages should be allowed to remain aerobic after exposure to air. The goal is to lock out all the oxygen from the hay, but the question remains about the expected usage time before significant aerobic deterioration occurs.
Stackability
Bale wrap helps to keep the bales from losing moisture. It also helps to minimize storage losses. It is more economical than using preservatives. It can also help to reduce stress on the barn’s structure. The more hay you can store in the same space, the less pressure it will have on the structure.
Keeping your hay wrapped can be worth the effort if you have the space. It can minimize your hay loss by 6%. It can also allow you to keep more hay in your barn.
When storing hay, it is important to stack the bales. If you don’t, the moisture will soak into the ground, and the bales will begin to mould. It is best to make sure your hay is in a dry, sunny area. It will keep the hay dryer from drying out too much.
It is a good idea to check your hay regularly for damage. You should also check your bales for holes and tears. It will prevent you from buying new bales or wasting money on repairs.
Whether you store your hay inside or outside, it is a good idea to use it as soon as possible. Bales left outside should be used before significant weather changes occur. It can include precipitation, humidity, and temperature increases.
Bales stored in rows will allow more air to circulate and help them dry out faster. It is also a good idea to ensure adequate space between each bale. A space of 6 inches between bales will keep the hay dryer.
You may consider using a plastic bale wrap if you have a large hay barn. A six-mil plastic is enough to wrap the bale four to five times. The thinner the plastic, the more oxygen can pass through. It will also keep the shape of the bale better.