Silage Bale Wrapping

Silage bales, often called baleage, depend on good fermentation, and good fermentation depends on doing several small things right. Here is the practical sequence from field to feed.

Key points

Baleage ferments in sealed plastic and lets you bale wetter forage.
Use local extension guidance on moisture and film layers.
Wrap quickly after baling.
Handle gently and patch holes fast.
Feed opened bales soon and discard spoiled feed.

What is silage bale wrapping and why do it?

Silage bale wrapping seals wet forage in plastic so it ferments without air. This lets you bale forage wetter than dry hay, which cuts the time it sits in the field and reduces weather risk. Producers use it for grass, legumes and mixed stands.

The result is stored feed that smells sweet and sour, rather than moldy. If air gets in, spoilage follows, so wrap quality and handling matter a great deal.

For a 30-acre hay field in a wet year, baleage can save a crop that would otherwise rot in the windrow. For a small homestead, a few wrapped bales for early spring feeding may be all you ever make.

What moisture and bale conditions work?

Forage for baleage is typically wetter than dry hay but wilted, not freshly cut. The target moisture depends on the crop and the bale type, and your extension office can give guidance. Do not guess. Use a moisture test method and local recommendations.

Bales should be dense and firm so there is little trapped air. A loose bale holds air that fermentation will not remove. Check your baler's density setting in the manual and work out what your bales need.

Ask your extension agent what moisture range suits the crop you grow and the bale type you make. The answer for wilted grass in a round baler is not the same as for alfalfa in another system, so do not borrow a number.

How soon should you wrap after baling?

Wrap quickly. Wrap soon after baling, because the longer the wait, the more the bale heats and spoils. Plan so the baler and wrapper keep pace, and do not bale more than you can wrap in time.

If the wrapper breaks down, stop baling. A field of unwrapped wet bales becomes a loss.

Keep a simple log of the date, time baled, time wrapped and weather. Over a season it shows you whether your timing is holding up.

How should the film be applied?

Film is applied in overlapping layers, and the number of layers and stretch settings depend on the film and your guidance. Follow the film maker's directions and your extension office's recommendations rather than copying a number from a neighbor.

Check for tight wrap with even overlap and no wrinkles. Stretch settings that are too loose or too tight both cause problems. Cover the ends completely.

Store film rolls out of direct sun and off the ground, and use them within the time the maker gives. Old film can stretch badly and tear.

Follow film maker and extension guidance on layers
Check that overlap is even and the film is tight
Wrap on a clean, level surface
Protect film from sun and punctures while handling

How should you handle and store wrapped bales?

Move bales gently and set them on a clean, well-drained, level site. Keep them off sharp stubble and away from trees and debris. Leave space between rows for air and for checking.

Inspect regularly for holes. Rodents, birds and handling can puncture film. Patch holes quickly with the tape the supplier recommends. Livestock should not be near stored bales.

Keep wrapped bales away from places where animals walk. Deer, dogs, cattle, birds and rodents will damage film if they can reach it. A few strands of electric fence or a different storage spot may protect a lot of feed.

How do you feed baleage safely?

Open one bale at a time and feed it soon after opening, because it can spoil quickly once air gets in. Discard moldy or off-smelling material rather than feeding it. If you are not sure, talk with your vet or extension agent. Never feed hay or baleage that smells strongly of rot or shows heavy mold, and keep opened bales away from horses unless your vet says otherwise, since some animals are more sensitive to spoiled forage than others.

Remove all film and net from the feed area and dispose of it properly. Ask your county waste office about recycling or disposal options.

What mistakes cause baleage to fail?

Common causes are forage that is too dry or too wet, bales that are loose, a long delay before wrapping, thin wrap and punctures. Each lets in air or spoils the feed.

Fix one thing each season. Start small, keep records of bale moisture, wrap date and how it fed, and adjust. Your extension office can help interpret results.

When to get help: Ask your county extension agent for moisture and fermentation guidance, and your veterinarian if animals show any health trouble after feeding. A qualified mechanic or dealer should handle wrapper hydraulics.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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