Weather-resistant silage plastic is a tool used to handle the task of converting bales into fodder. Its unique features include resistance to biotic and abiotic factors and low dependence on weather conditions.

You must choose a plastic film that can retain its strength in the face of environmental challenges. To ensure this, your film must be UV-stabilised.

Protection

Silage plastic can prevent oxygen from penetrating the ensiling forage when appropriately used. This allows for fermentation, reducing the pH and preserving the nutrient content of the feed. A proper seal also prevents moisture from leaking into the meal, promoting spoilage. In addition, it prevents oxygen and sunlight from reaching the forage, reducing heating and light degradation.

The best silage bags are made from a strong and durable polymer such as high-density or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These products can resist both UV radiation and chemicals harmful to livestock. They also offer superior puncture and tear resistance, ensuring the bag’s integrity. Moreover, their smooth surface makes them easy to clean and can be used with all ensiling machinery.

Another option for a silage cover is a bunker/pile/pit plastic cover. This type of cover is designed to cover the entire forage mass and is secured by weight (tires, sandbags or rock-filled bags) or an oxygen barrier film. The unique square texture of these covers reduces wind velocity over the surface of the plastic, further improving oxygen reduction.

Research has shown that oxygen barrier covers can reduce dry matter loss by up to 50% compared to standard plastics. However, it is essential to note that the effectiveness of these covers cannot be compared with a complete covering. Using ground limestone or soil, molasses, sawdust, sod, or other materials may provide some protection from spoilage. Still, they do not compare to plastic covers regarding how well they exclude oxygen.

Recyclability

A vital aspect of silage plastic is its ability to keep oxygen out. This is an essential factor when preserving silage, hay and corn, as it maintains the nutritional value of the contents and avoids undesirable fermentation processes. Plastic fodder stretch film is polyethylene and guarantees protection during long-term outdoor exposure. Its exceptional elasticity reduces long-term storage costs and preserves the contents much better than conventional weather-resistant silage plastic film.

It is also very durable against puncture, abrasion and tear and can be re-wrapped repeatedly. It is UV stabilised to protect against sun damage and has a reflective surface, which helps to reduce heat build-up inside the bale.

The type of plastic used to make silage wrap and other agricultural products is known as low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This is an excellent material for preserving crops because it has the strength and durability necessary, but it can be recycled into new materials.

In Ireland, a new recycling facility is being opened by Bord na Mona to recycle 24,000 tonnes of used agricultural plastic films, which would otherwise end up in landfill or be shipped overseas. The waste plastic is collected and sent to a processing and cleaning plant in Littleton, County Tipperary. It is shredded and then granulated into pellets that can be used to make a wide range of new, environmentally friendly household and industrial products.

UV Stabilisation

An excellent silage plastic film must be UV-stabilised to prevent sun damage and help keep nutrients within the forage. This is important as it can reduce the time needed to ferment the fodder and increase the quality of the finished product.

In addition, UV stabilisation can also help improve the film’s permeability and reduce oxygen transmission rates, which are critical factors in protecting the forage from spoiling. This will also help to ensure that the resulting silage contains as much nutrition as possible for livestock consumption.

Another factor that can impact the performance of silage plastic is the raw material used in its construction. Many cheaper plastics use lower-quality materials in their production, which can result in reduced durability and longevity for the wrapping. This can also affect the film’s ability to stretch correctly, leading to punctures and tears in the finished wrap.

For this reason, we recommend using a high-quality film such as Flavor-Seal or Sigma Ultra 5l for your bale wrapping needs. These films have been specifically designed to protect bales from the weather and to create a tight seal that will help preserve the feed quality of your forage. This can also eliminate the need to move and store your bales in a bunker, saving you money on transport costs and reducing stress on your animals.

Durability

When used in silage packaging, the plastic must protect the bales from external factors such as air and moisture. This allows the nutrients in the bale to be preserved and prevents spoilage. This can result in better quality silage, a cheaper alternative to buying fertiliser bags and reduced waste disposal costs.

Silage plastic can be made using several different materials, but one of the most important is metallocene polyethylene (LLDPE). This material offers excellent durability to guarantee the protection of the bales against adverse weather conditions. The plastic is UV-stabilised, ensuring the film does not degrade in direct sunlight.

Another essential function of silage plastic is its ability to prevent oxygen from leaking into the bales. Oxygen causes undesirable fermentation processes in the silage, reducing its nutritional value and causing a loss of dry matter. This is a crucial step in producing high-quality grass that will provide the best possible feed for livestock.

This is achieved by using a white layer on the outside of the silage plastic, reflecting the majority of solar radiation, and a black coating on the inside to prevent the entrance of any radiation. This creates a more balanced temperature, protecting the crop from damage and ensuring a longer lifespan.