Green film better for forage
Various big bale wrap colours were compared at the ADAS Pwllperian Research Centre, near Aberystwyth in Wales.
There was more stable and consistent fermentation of grass silage wrapped in Volac Topwrap Eco-green film, compared to black film, in which grass was subject to greater temperature fluctuations, said ADAS Pwllperian manager, Owen Davies.
Lower temperature fluctuation in green wrapped bales led to higher lactic acid levels, an indicator of improved silage uptake and subsequent animal performance.
During sunny weather the surface of bales wrapped in black film reached temperatures 5 to 8 degrees (Centigrade) higher than those wrapped in green film.
During periods of night frost, green wrap insulated bales from heat loss. Their surface temperature were 2 to 4 degrees higher than those wrapped in black plastic.
“These findings agree with trial work at CEDAR, commissioned by Dow, which found that dry matter intake was higher in silage wrapped in green film compared with standard black film,” commented Volac International’s David Neville.
“It also reaffirms research findings at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, which indicated that losses can be reduced and a higher quality forage achieved by simply changing the colour and quality of the film used.”
