Hay WrappingBy: Sarah Cheyne

What is it?• The purpose of hay wrapping is to protect and ensure hay

quality. • Eliminates the rush of baling hay for threat of an oncoming

storm.• Reduces the amount of waste at feeding time, improves your

hay harvest efficiency, and reduces loss in harvest and storage.

• It keeps unwanted sprays, etc out of the bailed hay, as well as maintaining the hay’s nutrients inside of the wrap.

• Some wrap contains microscopic pores, which allow water vapor to escape the inside of the bales, which decreases molding and loss of nutrients.

Negatives• Adds operating costs for the wrapper and plastic• Added fixed cost for the wrapper, cash flow and debt• Added labor costs, requires two people, one for moving bales,

one for operating the wrapper• Increased number of trips to haul high-moisture vs dry hay• Disposal of plastic, time and expense

Costs and Facts (Estimated)Base Assumptions Single Bale In-line

Purchase costs per unit $16,500 $25,000

Bales per year 1,000------------------------

Approximated plastic usage based on 5,000-6,000 ft per roll

20 bales per roll 40 bales per roll

Approximate labor time per bale

3 min to wrap and 1.5 min to move bales

30 sec per bale to wrap and 1.5 min to move bales

Some Options• Bale wrappers

• Ag-Bag• Case• New Holland• Reese• Vermeer• KEMCO

References• http://www1.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/nutrition/

bale-wrapping-affects-forage-quality/

• http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/corporate/our_company/news_and_media/press_releases/2012/agriculture/2012dec3_b_wrap.page

• http://hayandforage.com/equipment/new-round-bale-wrap-mimics-indoor-storage