Just like silage film, bale wrap is also commonly used within agriculture and farming. Most of the time, silage bale film is used to keep the fodder for the cattle, in a process of fodder fermentation similar to agricultural silage film. In previous years, farmers did not use silage bale film to store their fodder. As a result, the production of dairy products dropped drastically during harsh weather, since farmers could not keep the nutritious greenery needed to feed their livestock.
Often, farmers suffer great losses when they cannot secure the fodder for their animals. Some of their livestock might suffer malnutrition due to a lack of preparation. This is why farmers are very careful to stock their round bales while they can, because when the harsh weather comes, they can keep feeding their animals from the supply they have stored.
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How Do Farmers Gather and Keep Round Bales?
Usually, farmers prepare their fodder into large round bales instead of small ones. The reason is quite simple: large round bales require less labor.
Once you have formed the core of the bale, you only need to roll it until it reaches the size you want. You might think a large round bale is harder to move and deliver than a small one. Thanks to agricultural modernization, transporting a large round bale is no longer a problem. In fact, it is now preferred over small bales. A large bale not only needs less labor but also requires less silage bale film to cover the fodder.
Another Alternative to Silage Bale Film
In previous years, farmers gathered and kept their round bales using twine, net-wrap, and plastic. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages. Twine is cheaper than the other materials, but it can cause great loss due to its inefficiency in holding the bale together. Twine moves easily, which makes it unable to keep the bale intact in one firm shape. More importantly, it is also prone to damage because twine leaves the hay exposed to the surroundings, so the fodder can spoil more easily.
Net-wrap is around three times more expensive than twine, so farmers often think twice before buying it, worried that the return may be less than the cost. However, studies have found that farmers who use net-wrap instead of twine can keep hay in better condition, because net-wrap reduces harvest loss and storage loss and supports faster, cleaner handling. Plastic, on the other hand, is chosen when you want to process high-moisture baling, and it tends to be more palatable to livestock. As a result, more farmers are now turning to silage plastic, since it delivers a better result. If you want a closer look at how these two materials stack up, our detailed comparison of bale net wrap and twine breaks down the weight loss and quality differences in more depth.
Then What Is the Oxygen Barrier?
The oxygen barrier is similar to silage film, but some factories use the name “oxygen barrier” to highlight an outstanding property of the product. Using an oxygen barrier film means the amount of oxygen left inside the wrapped bale is far lower than what you would find with regular PE wrap film.
The oxygen barrier is believed to reduce aerobic spoilage by up to 40 percent, while regular wrap plastic reduces spoilage by only about 7 to 8 percent. Researchers have also found that using an oxygen barrier reduces mold and yeast production, which can be dangerous for animals to consume.
“When customers ask me whether the oxygen barrier film is worth the extra cost, I tell them to think about what spoilage actually costs them. A single moldy section in a bale is not just wasted feed, it is a health risk to the herd. In the field, I have seen operations cut their top-layer spoilage dramatically simply by switching to an oxygen barrier layer for their most valuable silage. For high-moisture forage especially, that protection pays for itself.”
— Sue Su, Sales Director, Jummos
This matters because the mold and yeast in spoiled silage can contain mycotoxins, which cause breathing problems, abortion, and digestive issues in livestock. Keeping the herd healthy is the main concern of every farmer, and using an oxygen barrier helps them protect the cattle’s wellbeing.
Nowadays, farmers are eagerly replacing their traditional methods with modern technologies that are easy to use and high in performance. Silage bale film is not only suitable for the large agricultural industry; it is also practical for small businesses that keep only a small number of cattle. With the right film, maintaining good, nutritious feed for livestock is no longer a hassle. To explore the full range of options, you can also read our overview of agricultural silage film products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between silage bale film and an oxygen barrier film?
Both are used to wrap and protect fermented fodder, but the oxygen barrier film is engineered to let through far less oxygen than standard PE wrap film. Regular wrap plastic reduces aerobic spoilage by roughly 7 to 8 percent, while an oxygen barrier film is believed to cut spoilage by up to 40 percent. For most general baling, standard silage bale film is sufficient, but for high-value or high-moisture silage where spoilage losses are costly, the oxygen barrier offers meaningfully better protection.
Is net-wrap really worth paying more than twine?
For most operations, yes. While net-wrap can cost around three times as much as twine, it holds the bale together more firmly and leaves less of the hay exposed to air and weather. This translates into lower harvest and storage losses and better-preserved feed. Twine still has a place for short-term or budget-conscious baling, but over a full storage season the reduced waste from net-wrap often outweighs its higher upfront price.
Why is mold in silage dangerous for livestock?
Mold and yeast growth in silage can produce mycotoxins, which are harmful compounds that can cause breathing difficulties, digestive problems, and even abortion in animals. Beyond the direct health risk, spoiled feed loses nutritional value and palatability, so animals eat less and perform worse. Minimizing oxygen inside the bale, whether through proper wrapping technique or an oxygen barrier film, is the most effective way to keep mold from taking hold.
Reviewed and updated by the Jummos Content Team on June 24, 2026 to keep the comparison of bale binding materials and oxygen barrier performance accurate.