Can You Wrap Dry Hay Bales in Silage Wrap?

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.

  1. 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.