Testing, Listening, Improving: A Season of Field Support and Product Performance

As we move into Autumn, our focus continues to be on supporting customers in the field following another busy season in the crop packaging space.

This past quarter has provided valuable opportunities to work closely with growers, contractors and dealers across multiple regions. We have been very active on the road completing our annual netwrap and twine trials, along with running our TamaTwine+ roadshow events across the country.

These activities allow us to see product performance in real-world conditions while also connecting directly with the people using our products every day. The feedback gathered through these trials and events plays an important role in helping us refine product performance, guide ongoing development and demonstrate the practical benefits of Tama products to our customers.

In early January we completed our annual netwrap trials, producing 352 bales over three very early mornings to beat the extreme temperatures of 38–40°C. These trials allow us to evaluate new raw materials, assess different product properties and benchmark competitor products — all of which remain extremely important to Tama’s ongoing development.

The exceptionally hot summer in Northern Victoria provided an excellent testing environment this year, exposing products to high UV levels and significant stress conditions. The first inspection of the stacked bales will take place three months after baling, where we assess performance, weathering and overall bale integrity.

During January we also completed further trials on our EZ Web product as we continue to explore opportunities to expand this product into the market.

In February we conducted trials with NRF (Net Replacement Film), working closely with our supply partners to improve product performance. We also completed additional netwrap trials using a new prototype baler, collaborating with the OEM to ensure the correct product specification for the application.

Late February through March saw us take our TamaTwine+ roadshows across the country, hosting 11 events in total. More than 200 attendees participated, learning about the development journey of our Impax twine range and how it can deliver real advantages over traditional twines by saving time, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.

The sessions also included a detailed look at baler knotter components and practical twine troubleshooting. The feedback from these events has been extremely positive, with a great deal of knowledge shared between our team, dealers and customers.

Feedback from the past season has been very positive regarding overall product performance. The most common issue reported was netwrap not spreading fully across the bale or failing to achieve true edge-to-edge coverage.

In many cases this is not directly related to the netwrap itself but rather to normal wear and adjustment requirements on balers that have completed a high number of bales during the season. As machines accumulate bale counts, small adjustments are often required to maintain optimal netwrap performance.

To help ensure consistent net spreading and application, operators should regularly check the following:

• Knife condition – ensure the knife is sharp and cutting the net cleanly.
• Brake system adjustment – brake tension should be set correctly, remembering that a full roll of net behaves differently compared to a roll nearing completion.
• Net tray condition – keep the tray clean and free from debris to allow smooth feeding of the net.
• Baler chamber and rollers – ensure they are clean to allow the net to track evenly across the bale.

Regular maintenance and adjustment of these components can significantly improve net application and help maintain consistent bale quality throughout the season.

A challenging time at the moment with fuel and fertiliser prices and other input costs surging, we will continue to work with growers and contractors in understanding the markets moving forward.

Thank you to all of our customers, dealers, and partners for your continued support and feedback. Your insights from the field are invaluable in helping us improve both our products and technical support.

Please feel free to reach out at any time if you require assistance, technical guidance, or product-specific information.