Wrapping Hay Bales In Plastic

The finished bales look like giant white marshmallows.

Wrapping hay bales in plastic.

Pre tension the film to stretch 55 to 75 percent. In this method the forage crop is cut sooner immediately baled and wrapped in plastic to ferment like silage. Bales left unwrapped for more than 48 hours can reach internal temperatures over 130 degrees f. To protect hay from the elements farmers may choose to cover it with a tarp wrap it in a plastic sheet or secure a cap on top of it.

You get a smoother bale surface that contains the stems and reduces the chance of poking holes in the plastic film. Single bale wrappers cost less than inline systems but they require more wrapping time and plastic film per bale. Plastic wrap is most commonly used in high moisture baling. Select blown low density polyethylene film around 1 mil thick.

For optimal preservation wrap bales within 24 hours of baling using 6 to 8 mil thick plastic. Some of the inline systems require end caps or plastic hay bags to seal the ends of the lines. Baleage can be made from 40 65 moisture forage while traditional hay is dried to 16 percent before it is baled. Wrapping dry hay allows farmers to protect feed from the weather without building more structures.

Wrapping bales can be an economical answer when quality counts when haying on rented properties and when silos are not available.