While driving through Pennsylvania farmland, you have probably noticed an increased amount of white plastic bundles stacked in lines or piles along farm buildings or edges of farm fields. Sometimes referred to as "marshmallows" or "long white tubes", etc. these objects are increasing in farmer popularity and represent a changing trend in harvesting of farm livestock feeds.
The feeds stored in these units are of a high moisture quality, and would quickly mold and spoil within 48 hours if exposed to oxygen in the air. The air-tight capability of these plastics enable feed storage of wet hay bales, chopped hay silage, chopped corn silage, or high moisture corn grain for as long as two years. Silos have been doing the bulk of wet feed storage for nearly a century on some farms, but the new plastic technology offers some very palatable advantages to the livestock farmer. On the average, feeds stored in plastic are of a higher quality than their silo counterparts, due to plastic's ability to eliminate 99% of the air leaking into the storage area. Silos are exposed to the full area of feed on top, and to cracks and door leaks in the areas between damaged staves on the sides of the silo unit. A few silo companies have reduced air input by producing glass lined, air sealed units such as Harvestore and Sealstore, but such units are quite expensive to purchase.
Today's feed grade plastics offer sun-blocking technology, which can normally break down standard plastic covers in a few months' time. Feed grade plastics can resist the sun's rays for 12, 18, or 24 months, depending on the quality purchased.
One of the most recent additions to the farm feed storage is that of round bale wrap. Similar to common "shrink wrap" used in packaging goods worldwide, bale wrap is applied with a specialized piece of equipment called a "round bale wrapper", and produces the marshmallows often seen in farm fields. In-line wrappers are now available as well, that can wrap one round bale after another into a continuous long line.
Round bale wrapping is an important breakthrough to farmers in the fact that baling is a lower power requirement than chopping as silage, and offers the quickest way to remove feed from a field and stay ahead of the rainy weather. Instead of waiting another day or two for hay to get dry, it can be baled wet, and then wrapped. The ability of feed to ferment quickly and properly inside of plastic wrap is superb, adding to the popularity of the system.
As with any new technologies, there are drawbacks as well. Feed is often stored a considerable distance from the buildings, typically due to the desire to limit clutter around the house and barn area, or because of the speed and convenience of wrapping feed next to the field it was harvested in. During Pennsylvania winters it is sometimes difficult to get to the feed, requiring the clearing of snow from farm access lanes just to reach the feed, and then daily hauling what is needed to feed the animals. Mud in thawing fields also provides an obstacle in spring-time.
Plastic disposal also can pose a problem. Plastic remnants do not rot down for years, and must be gathered carefully, or they will be left to blow in the wind to neighboring properties. Burning is not recommended, because of the toxic gases produced when the plastic is burned. The best present option is to the garbage truck and then landfill. However, as plastic usage increases it may become viable to recycle this plastic through a community collection system. Some Lancaster farms are now part of such a program, where the plastic is collected and baled into large, 1,000 pound square bales, and then trucked to a recycling plant in the southern United States that can recycle ag plastic into a number of other products.
Tom Clouser http://www.clouserfarm.net
Tom Clouser is a 38 year old farmer in Madisonburg, PA. This article is a reproduction of his editorial in the monthly news publication of "Trees 'n' Turf", published by him and his father Ken. View their archives at http://www.clouserfarm.net
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
When you hear the word "success" does it bring on... Read More
We love Wichita because it has great all round weather... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More
What is the satisfaction & expectation review of the business... Read More
What makes a business relationship?What really makes a business relationship?... Read More
What could Seinfeld possibly have to do with marketing a... Read More
In today's marketplace the words 'job security' have become an... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
Some marine biologists feel that the concentration of dead marine... Read More
During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
Business card size works well for invitations to special events.What... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
Looking for a place to add a Quick Lube away... Read More
Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Every business starts with an idea or a dream. To... Read More
Everyone wants to succeed in life. Most people want to... Read More
The temporary staffing industry continues to expand, with yearly double-digit... Read More
Part of the power plan is making sure you have... Read More
Are you a small business owner who wants to expand... Read More
Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Many mobile car wash operators would like to add de-ionized... Read More
Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More
Remember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More
The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More
Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More
We all know that a building has to have a... Read More
Why should you always maintain a good report with a... Read More
If you run a mobile car wash, mobile fleet washing... Read More
I love work, I can watch it all day.I am... Read More
Most pressure washing companies never look into some of the... Read More
In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook the... Read More
A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
Today is a Red Letter Day! It's special because today... Read More
Many ventures are faced with the challenging task of raising... Read More
Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More
We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
Franchisors of home based and mobile businesses need to carefully... Read More
What would happen if you decided to take an extended... Read More
Most businesses accept checks as form of payment for goods... Read More
People will always stress that having a well researched business... Read More
Everything starts with a business plan: If you don't have... Read More
Small Business |