Netwrap: How many wraps is enough?

The cost of the netwrap to make a round bale is a very small percentage of the value of the hay, yet one of the main causes of collapsing bales is the failure to use enough netwrap.

The biggest factors that determine the wraps required are crop type and bale density. Crops like sorghum, triticale and pea that easily absorb moisture need more wraps, as do springy cereal crops. Heavy or abrasive crops such as rice straw and sugar cane need extra wraps and a heavier netwrap like 13 or 14gm.

Other considerations include how quickly the bales will be fed out: will they be stored in a shed, left in the paddock or sold? One extra wrap could greatly reduce the risk of bales splitting or breaking during loading, handling and transportation.

Farmers can prevent most problems by talking with their contractor about the best choice of netwrap, the correct weight for the job and how many wraps to apply.

Contractors are judged by the bales left behind in the paddock. The cost of more wraps or a heavier netwrap is negligible compared to the value of satisfied customers returning year after year.