Tama Assist Minimise Post Harvest Baling Losses with Proper Packaging and Storage Practices
You inspect stored hay and silage and discover some bales have turned into expensive compost, creating that sinking feeling farmers often experience. Post-harvest forage spoilage extends beyond just poor feed quality. It also means wasted resources, reduced feed efficiency and poor livestock performance.
The Agriculture Institute reports that most post harvest feed losses occur after baling and during packaging and storage. Smart post harvest storage methods and proper packaging give you reliable ways to protect your forage investment.
After spending long days getting crops baled, proper wrapping and packing can prevent post harvest loss of nutritional value. Quality packaging materials preserve and maintain livestock feed quality so that during handling and storage, bales are protected against weather and rough handling.
What makes a quality crop packaging solution for round bales? Ideally something that is easy and cost effective to apply, uses as few wraps as possible and creates minimal wastage. There are many options on the market today, we suggest choosing options that don’t require additional investment and won’t have negative future impact on your business from a sustainability perspective i.e. try to avoid options that create significant waste, as we all know this is an area that will gain more and more focus in the years ahead.
Tama’s bale netwrap options ensure even coverage and tight, well compressed bales. Tama netwrap is compatible with all balers and includes useful features like roll end warning stripes and carry handles.
For example, Tama’s CoverNet Preferred 3000m bale netwrap was designed to handle the weather and rough treatment, and withstand UV exposure during transport and storage.
Our latest product innovation, EZ Web retains all the benefits of netwrap and improves on it by adding the following benefits:
- No separation from stretchfilm required; can be recycled together
- Easier to remove from the bale
To ensure optimal performance and reduce waste, it’s essential to store your crop packaging materials correctly. They should always be kept under cover, protected from direct sunlight and the elements until they’re ready to be used. UV exposure, moisture, and extreme temperatures can degrade both the strength and usability of the wrap, leading to poor results in the field and potential crop losses. Pay particular attention if you are using Net Replacement Film (NRF) as its fragile nature can result in the loss of several rotations of product if it receives even the slightest knock.
Store rolls in their original packaging, ideally in a dry, shaded area such as a barn or shed, and always handle them with care to avoid edge damage. Proper storage isn’t just good practice, it protects your investment and ensures consistent, high quality baling when it matters most.
Silage quality and effective fermentation depend on preventing oxygen exposure. Even small perforations allow air inside, leading to fermentation failures. Using netwrap for silage bales before wrapping it in stretchwrap, ensures tight and compact bales.
Stretchwrapping silage bales straight after baling eliminates air and preserves crop quality throughout fermentation and storage.
Proper handling prevents packaging damage, leading to significant post harvest losses, affecting both the quality and value of your stored forage over time. Use suitable lifting equipment and keep stacking heights practical and safe. These practices protect packaging when bales need to be moved around your storage areas.
Check bale netwrap and silage wrap before storage so you can fix any perforations immediately.
Well planned post harvest storage keeps your forage in excellent condition and ready when your operation needs it.
Effective silage storage needs level, dry surfaces created by using pallets, gravel or plastic sheeting. This prevents moisture from rising up from below.
Keep bales away from pests and stack them securely with extra covering when stored outdoors for extended periods.
Covered sheds provide the best protection as netwrapped hay bales needs to stay dry. Outdoor storage works best when you use water-repellant, breathable covers that allow air movement around the bales to prevent moisture buildup. Elimated contact with wet surfaces because moisture destroys nutritional value faster than almost any other storage problem you might face.
Read more on proper storage of hay and silage bales here.
The Tama Assist team have practical advice to minimise post-harvest losses through proven baling methods. Get in touch for advice on choosing the best bale netwrap and silage stretch wrap to prevent post harvest losses.