A more sustainable baling solution

4th June 20255th June 2025 webmaster Silotite

As farmers face increasing pressure to improve sustainability and operational efficiency, many are turning to net replacement film (NRF) as a smarter alternative to traditional silage wrapping methods.

Long established across the island of Ireland, NRF, also known as the film-and-film system, is gaining more traction, as silage producers seek ways to enhance forage quality, reduce waste, and prepare for tightening environmental regulations.

Lloyd Dawson, sales director at Silotite, says improving silage quality, bale integrity, and feed value are key priorities for livestock farmers looking to maximise return on home-grown forage.

“Traditional net wrap systems have their limitations,” he says. “They offer little to no protective benefits and do not contribute to the ensiling process.

“However, the film-and-film method creates a higher holding force, producing tighter, more uniform binding.

“The extra layers of film, instead of net wrap, act as an oxygen barrier to preserve forage quality.”

Bale expansion, caused by poor binding, allows air to enter the bale, encouraging mould and causing valuable energy losses in the silage, Mr Dawson explains.

“For example, Silotite’s film-and-film solution, Baletite, uses layers of baler film instead of net, delivering improved silage protection and bale density.”

He says it also supports easier handling and feed-out.

“Bales wrapped with Baletite can be opened cleanly from the tractor cab using a bale slicer, making the process faster and safer.

“Unlike net, which can tangle within the forage, Baletite peels away cleanly – making feeding more efficient and reducing contamination risk” Mr Dawson explains.