How to Wrap Large Hay Bales

A 2007 study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison looked at twine for wrapping large hay bales and also at net wrap, a fine plastic mesh. The study, led by agricultural engineering professor Kevin Shinners, found that net wrap performed better. It is an efficient way to wrap large round hay bales, requiring less time than twine wrapping and therefore increasing productivity in the field. There is also less harvest loss because little hay falls out during the 1 1/2 to 3 turns it takes to solidly wrap a bale. Storage losses are also minimized due to the ability of the net-wrapped bales to shed water well if stored on well-drained areas. Net wrap is not inexpensive, however: A hay wrap attachment for your tractor can cost up to $4,000 and the plastic net is $1 to $1.25 per bale.

Things You'll Need

  • Tractor
  • Net wrap
  • Hay
  • Gloves
  • Knife
  • Hay wrap attachment
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Mount the hay wrap attachment onto your tractor's 3-point hitch.

    • 2

      Adjust the speed, start and stop controls.

    • 3

      Position the plastic roll and tension adjustment.

    Wrap the Bale

    • 4

      Start the wrapping process by inserting the end of the net wrap under the plastic twine at one end of the bale.

    • 5

      Activate the hay wrap attachment to begin rotating the bale.

    • 6

      Move the plastic net wrap applicator down the length of the bale as it rotates to apply two layers of net wrap on dry round bales.

    • 7

      Cut the net wrap when the bale is completely wrapped.

    • 8

      Move the wrapped bale to the storage area.