Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.33128/ag.83.1-2.6

Forage ensiling into bales wrapped with plastic film

Marina Vranić ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Krešimir Bošnjak ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Hrvoje Kezele ; student na Agronomskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Martin Tadić ; student na Agronomskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Paula Jurčić ; studentica na Agronomskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

The technology of forage ensiling into bales wrapped in plastic film is about 50 years old. It began to be applied more intensively in Croatia in the 1990s. Mechanization has been developed that makes this technology acceptable, especially for small and medium-sized dairy and meat producers. The aim of this paper is to present the current knowledge in the application of feed ensiling technology in bales wrapped in plastic film from mowing crops for ensiling to the use of fermented feed in feeding. This ensiling technology complements previously developed ensiling technologies because it is possible to ensile smaller amounts of forage without building silos that can, in case of surplus, be offered on the market. Rapid achievement and maintenance of anaerobic conditions in the silo, as a basic prerequisite for ensiling, is a critical factor in ensiling forage into bales wrapped in plastic as well. Before baling, the forage is to be wilted to a higher dry matter (DM) content (more than 40%) and chopped to a greater length, so, due to the higher amount of oxygen, it is more difficult to create anaerobic conditions in the bales. Only bales of high DM content can keep their shape, stored on top of each other without damaging the plastic foil. As a result, less acid is formed by fermentation and the final pH of the haylage is higher, more pronounced spoilage of feed during storage is possible (higher risk of growth and development of clostridia), and haylage is aerobically unstable. In this regard, the quality of forage fermentation in the bale thus the quality of haylage can be affected by firm bale compaction, wrapping the bales with higher quality polyethylene films, more layers of plastic foil (6-8 instead of the usual 4-6) and bale protection from damage to the plastic film during storage in suitable places.

Keywords

ensiling; wrapped bales; plastic film; fermentation

Hrčak ID:

273509

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/273509

Publication date:

11.2.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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