How to Store Your Baling Products Between Seasons: A Practical Guide
The baler might be parked up for another year, but that doesn’t mean the job is completely finished.
If you have rolls of netwrap, twine or silage wrap left over after the season, how you store them now can make a big difference when you need them again.
A roll that has spent months exposed to damp, sunlight, dirt or damage can cause unnecessary problems when the next baling season gets underway.
The good news? A few simple storage habits can help keep your baling products in good condition and ready to go when you are.
Start with the right place
The golden rule for storing baling products is simple:
Keep them dry, covered and protected.
An indoor storage area is ideal. A shed or store should be cool, dry and protected from direct sunlight, with products kept away from anything that could cause physical or chemical damage.
Where possible, keep rolls and spools on their pallets rather than directly on the floor. This helps protect them from moisture, dirt and accidental damage.
It is also worth checking the storage area for signs of rodents or other pests, particularly if twine or silage wrap is being stored close to animal feed.
Looking after leftover netwrap
Netwrap is tough enough to deal with the demands of the baler, but the roll still needs protecting when it is sitting in storage.
One of the areas most easily overlooked is the cardboard core.
If the core becomes wet or damaged, it can soften, deform or collapse. That can make it difficult to fit the roll correctly into the baler or affect how the net feeds during baling.
Netwrap should also be kept in its protective packaging wherever possible. Rolls left exposed can become snagged or damaged, potentially affecting feeding and bale formation when the season starts again.
So, before putting those spare rolls away:
- Keep them somewhere dry and covered.
- Protect the cardboard cores from moisture.
- Leave rolls in their original packaging where possible.
- Avoid stacking or storing them where they can be knocked or damaged.
- Keep them off the ground and preferably on a pallet.
It may seem like a small job now, but it can save plenty of frustration when you’re under pressure to get bales made.
Looking after your twine
Baling twine is designed to withstand plenty of hard work, but that doesn’t mean it should be left exposed to the elements.
Store twine somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight, and keep the spools neatly arranged on their pallet.
Pay particular attention to how you stack other materials around them. Heavy loads placed on top of twine can crush the spools and potentially affect how the twine feeds through the baler next season.
A little care when putting the stock away can help ensure it feeds properly when you need it.
Silage wrap needs extra care
Silage wrap has a particularly important job to do. Once the bale is made, the film needs to maintain its integrity throughout wrapping, storage and fermentation.
That means protecting unused rolls from the conditions that can affect the film.
– Keep it out of direct sunlight
UV exposure can weaken film over time, so silage wrap should always be stored away from direct sunlight.
– Avoid excessive heat
High temperatures can affect the adhesive layers within the film. This can make the wrap more difficult to unwind and increase the risk of breakage during wrapping.
– Keep it away from fuel and chemicals
Silage wrap should be stored separately from fuels, oils, chemicals and other materials that could affect the film.
– Protect the rolls from physical damage
A damaged roll can compromise the performance of the film when it is needed on the baler.
Where possible, store silage wrap upright on its ends, on a clean pallet, and keep the original cardboard packaging in place. The packaging provides another layer of protection while the rolls are in storage.
Don't forget what's inside the shed
Once everything is safely stored, there are a few other simple things worth doing.
Keep products off the floor.
Damp floors and dirty storage areas can cause problems over time.
Keep original packaging intact.
It is there to protect the product, so leave it in place until you’re ready to use the roll or spool.
Keep pests away.
Rodents can cause significant damage, particularly to twine and film. If possible, keep baling products away from areas where feed is stored.
Use older stock first.
A simple first-in, first-out approach means the oldest products get used before newer stock. It also helps prevent forgotten rolls sitting at the back of the shed for several seasons.
Good products deserve good storage
Choosing quality baling products is only part of getting the best performance from them. Looking after those products between seasons is just as important.
Whether it’s netwrap, twine or silage wrap, storing products correctly helps protect the investment you’ve already made and means you’re less likely to discover an avoidable problem when the baler is ready to go again.
At Tama, our premium quality baling products are designed to deliver reliable performance in the field. With the right storage, you can help keep them in good condition from one season to the next.
Ready for the next season?
Before the baler goes back to work, take a few minutes to check your remaining stock.
Is the packaging intact? Are the cores dry? Have the rolls been protected from sunlight and damage?
A quick check now could save you time and hassle when the weather window opens.
And if you need advice on your baling products or have a question about storage, Tama Assist is here to help.
