Good silage doesn’t start with the plastic. It starts with the bale.
For Australian farmers and contractors, protecting feed quality means getting several things right in sequence: crop condition, bale density, bale shape, net coverage and finally, the stretchfilm.
Each step helps reduce the amount of air trapped inside the bale and keeps oxygen out during storage.
When the bale is uneven or the edges are poorly formed, small air pockets can remain under the film. Over time, these areas can increase the risk of heating, mould and feed losses.
A consistent bale shape also makes wrapping more effective and helps the film sit tightly against the surface.
Netwrap does more than simply hold the bale together.
Good coverage helps maintain bale shape and supports the edges before wrapping. A smooth, uniform surface gives stretchfilm the best possible foundation to create a tight seal around the bale.
That is why high-quality netwrap remains an important part of the silage process, even when the bale will be fully wrapped.
Stretchfilm is the bale’s main defence against oxygen once wrapping is complete.
Correct film application, overlap and sufficient layers all help maintain an airtight environment during storage.
Damage during handling, poor wrapping or an uneven bale surface can allow air back in and compromise the fermentation process.
Every silage bale represents valuable feed, time, fuel and machinery.
The best results come when the entire process works together:
There is no single step that guarantees good silage.
Quality comes from protecting the bale from the moment it is formed until the day it is fed.