How to choose baler twine

Are you baling hay for feed? Or straw for bedding? You may be using twine to secure bales before silage wrapping. Depending on crop type and final use, you select a baling twine to give you the hold and compression you need. Here’s a short guide on some key points to consider when choosing the right twine for hay bales.

Picking the right twine for your crop

Baler twine for silage:

Silage needs to ferment properly. This means your bales need to be tight and dense enough to limit oxygen exposure. A high-strength baler twine such as IMPAX LSB Power is built for high-density silage bales. With superior knots, fewer slips, and suitable for all balers, this hay twine prevents stretch or breakage in damp conditions.

Twine for hay bales:

Hay bales of all shapes and densities need to be held together securely. If you’re baling ryegrass, Timothy, lucerne, or clover, choose a medium-strength hay twine that provides the right amount of hold. TamaTwine+ IMPAX® LSB Power is a solid choice. It runs longer (3,040m) which means fewer spool changes.

Also consider Impax HD prime for higher-density hay bales. With hay twine keeping the bales intact, storage and transport will be much easier.

Baler twine for straw:

Straw bales need strong twine that can tolerate rough handling without snapping or slipping knots.

Our recommendation would be to use IMPAX HD Ultimate, the toughest baler twine available. Its unrivalled knot performance is the best choice for extreme compression and tough jobs. For “normal” baling conditions, consider IMPAX HD Prime.

If you’re stacking bales for storage or transport for resale, these twines keep them secure and stable.

Choosing the right twine doesn’t have to be complicated.

Choosing the right baler twine for changing conditions

Your crop type isn’t the only factor to consider, however. Weather, moisture content and final use all affect which twine to choose. When dealing with shorter straw, high temperatures, or wet baling conditions, you will need a strong baler twine. In easier conditions, a medium-strength hay twine does the job.

Choosing the right twine doesn’t have to be complicated. Use Tama’s colour-coded system to guide your baler twine solution. Here’s how it works:

Blue: Best for lighter baling jobs where you want the longest spool length. Great for lower-density hay bales.
Green: Ideal hay twine choice for standard-density forage baling. A cost-effective choice for lower-density bales.
Orange: A great all-rounder for high-density baling. Strong and reliable twine for baling hay, silage and straw in normal conditions.
Red: Excellent for tougher baling conditions, like barley straw or extreme heat conditions.
Brown: The strongest twine for extreme conditions, such as short straw or maize stalks baled in high heat. Handles maximum pressure.

Have a look at Tama’s baler twine options here or contact the Tama Assist team if you want more advice on choosing the right twine for different crops.