The objective in making baled silage is to create oxygen-free conditions for the wrapped bale, and these conditions need to last through to feedout. The correct handling and storage of bales is critical in order to preserve these conditions and retain the quality and nutritional value of the ensiled crop.
Even with the best quality film, poor handling and storage of bales can cause puncturing or destroy the airtight seal between layers of film, leading to spoilage and moulds.
Follow these tips for better bale handling and storage:
- Carefully remove bales from the bale wrapping unit.
- Use wrapper with a good bale-drop table to minimise damage to the film on tipping.
- Use a purpose-built handler to ensure minimum likelihood of spoilage. Bars on the handlers should be rust free and smooth to prevent damage.
- Inspect bales for damage immediately after wrapping. Repair any damage as quickly as possible using a suitable UV adhesive tape.
- Handle bales very carefully and minimise handling to avoid damage to film wrap.
- Store within 24 hours of baling.
- Choose a storage site away from trees and water courses which is preferably shady and sheltered against the wind.
- Store bales on flat, hard standing areas, free from sharp edges which may puncture bales.
- Stack low dry matter, wet silage (<25% DM) only one bale high.
- Stack silage with higher dry matter (>35% DM) to a maximum of three bales high.
- Cover the stack with close woven netting to prevent bird and rodent damage. Where necessary, protect the stack with suitable fencing.
- Maintain the storage area to reduce damage to bales and risk of air accessing the bale.
- Check bale stacks throughout the winter and assess silage stretch film for damage around the periphery of where the bale touches the ground. Re-seal when necessary.
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