Can You Wrap Dry Hay Bales in Silage Wrap?

Silage bags protect forage crops from the elements.

Agricultural technology offers feed producers and livestock owners various options for storing fodder and feeding their animals. Proper storage of hay means keeping it dry, because wet hay rots, and rotten hay reduces the usable feed supply.

Definitions

Silage is fermented pasture grass used to feed cattle and sheep. While traditionally stored in silos, wrapping it in plastic has become common as well. In contrast to silage, which has moisture sealed into it, hay is dried forage.

Wrap

Silage wrap is a type of agricultural plastic film made of low density polyethylene. It offers feed producers the ability to store feed protected from the weather without building more structures, as well as streamlining silage production.

Considerations

Silage wrap was designed for silage, which has higher moisture content. Hay needs to be dry and should not be totally enclosed in the wrap. Disposal of silage wrap as well as its cost must be considered; a hay barn might be more economical and efficient in the long run.

References

• The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture: Protecting Hay Supplies.
• Biotechnology Learning Hub: What is silage?
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Hay making and silage.
• Smallstock in Development: Hay Making.
• Cornell Waste Management Institute: Agricultural Plastics - Boon or Bane?
• Living the Country Life: Plastic is an option.

Resources

• West Virginia University Extension Service: Round Bale Storage Costs.