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Other than the quality of the crops being conserved, there are two elements to a successful bale of silage: the structure and density of the bale and the effectiveness of the airtight cover used. To make good quality silage it is important to use good quality materials. Stretch film bale wrap should reach certain requirements before use; these include low oxygen permeability, tear resistance, durability and minimised neck-in tendency (the amount by which the film narrows when stretched lengthwise). "The simple but vital aim is to create oxygen-free conditions for the wrapped bale, and these conditions need to last through to feedout," says Padraig O'Kiely, Head of Research Department of Teagasc, at Grange Beef Research Centre in Ireland. "When wrapped in 4 layers of conventional polythene (plastic) film, the thickness of such plastic on a silage bale is approximately 70 ?m compared to 250 ?m for a double-sheeted silage clamp. Since each bale of silage typically has 6 to 8 times the surface area in contact with plastic compared to clamp silage, it is clearly important that the plastic film is of good quality, is properly applied and is not subsequently damaged." O'Kiely indicates that "in general, a minimum of 4 layers of conventionally applied standard stretch film is required to conserve baled silage adequately. The production of dense, high dry matter (DM) bales from highly digestible grass, with in excess of 200 kg DM per bale, can justify the use of 6 layers of film. An increase of 25 kg DM per bale will pay for two extra layers of film by reducing the number of bales to be baled, wrapped, transported and stored." < Back to Spring 2009 Newsletter |
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