New wrapping promises big yield improvements

Film on film technique for binding tightens up process while excluding oxygen

A wrapping technique that promises increased milk yield from baled forage has been launched by Kuhn Farm Machinery.

Film on film or film binding techniques involve applying stretch wrap rather than net around the circumference of bales before wrapping them as usual.

Katie Calcutt, forage product manager, says the company’s film binding technique can yield an extra 15 litres of milk per bale through improved fermentation quality.

“Using stretch film produces a more tightly wrapped bale with more oxygen excluded,” she says.

“Net allows a fair bit of movement during handling, which can result in pockets of air and compromised fermentation.”

Using polythene film to secure and wrap the bale also simplifies recycling – and in the case of Kuhn’s approach, it also makes material purchasing simpler because while some manufacturers apply wide film on the baler the Kuhn approach is to use 750mm bale wrap for both.

Two overlapping dispensers apply film to secure the bale before the same material, with its air-excluding, stickiness and anti-UV properties, is used for wrapping it.

Simpler recycling management, as well as easier handling, are behind new packaging for SilotitePro bale wrap.

The Kuhn i-BIO+ baler-wrapper is a step forward on net handling.