Polisile versus the roaming cow

THE NEW SILAGE SHEETING FOR WHOLE CROP AND MAIZE SILAGE

Bpi.agri have developed new silage sheeting for maize (Corn) and whole crop silage. With more and more farmers growing maize and whole crop silage around the world there was an increased demand for sheeting which would protect their high value crops even better than ordinary silage sheeting.

With maize silage yields of 15-16 tonnes of fresh weight feed can be expected per acre, the crop is high in carbohydrates, starch and energy, and with harvesting taking place up to year end and with virtually no effluent problems. If there are disadvantages it is in the harvesting in often wet conditions and where it is essential to use a corn cracker.

Potentially the biggest problem is that maize silage when fermenting gives off a yeasty smell detected for miles by crows, pheasants, rooks, starlings and rats. A crow attack on normal silage clamp sheeting will leave it in tatters resulting in secondary fermentation and therefore spoilage to the crop, maize is also very coarse and sharp when chopped which can lead to puncturing of the sheeting. ADAS therefore recommend either using a double thickness or double sheeting when using standard covers. This can now be replaced with Polisile 3, which is the only sheet specifically designed for maize and whole crop silage. Polisile 3 is a strong, three layer co-extruded black and white silage sheet. It's extremely tough because it's three layers are bonded together during the extrusion process to provide extra strength and resistance to puncturing. The film is applied to the clamp white side up to prevent over heating and permeability. This in turn will reduce spoilage by helping to prevent oxygen reaching the silage.

Devon farmer David Hunt was astounded when his Polisile 3 silage cover remained in tact after his herd of Holstein Friesians had walked over his sheeted clamp. Their hooves did not break through the special black and white film. Indentations of hoof marks were left, which actually filled up with water, proving that the membrane had not been punctured. Available from your bpi.agri agent in a range of sizes.