John Tremaine, runs JRT Forage, a farm at Downe in Kent which has been in the family for five generations, predominantly as an arable enterprise. They began producing haylage about ten years ago and now all 350 acres have been converted to haylage production. Some 2000 big round bales a year are wrapped in green silage wrap although much of the product is subsequently re-wrapped into 25kg small bales for the equine trade. The remainder goes in bulk to professional users.

"The key to successful haylage production is quality" said John. "That begins with the sward and everything we do from then on is geared to maintaining high standards. The bales are made slightly over-size to give convex sides and ensure a really tight (and airtight) wrap. We wrap with eight layers of film at the point of storage to minimise handling of the finished bales".

Innovation has also been a part of the development of JRT Forage; they have designed and built a jig that speeds the unwrapping process of the big bales and also helps to reduce damage and losses prior to repacking; other projects are in the pipeline and this in turn suggests long-term commitment to the enterprise.

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