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When it comes to choosing packaging materials and equipment in agriculture, two things matter most: efficiency and durability. That’s why bale net wrap and silage film have become the go-to solutions for farmers preparing feed for the winter. They offer significantly better protection compared to the traditional baling twine used in the past.

In this guide, we’ll break everything down — from what bale net wrap is to how to choose and use it effectively.

What is bale net wrap?

Bale net wrap is a mesh material made from polypropylene, rolled into large spools that are used in round balers for wrapping hay, straw, or silage. Polypak bale net wrap is compatible with most used baler models across Europe, North America, and Asia.

What is bale netting wrap made of?

Our net wrap is primarily made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). We mostly use virgin HDPE because it’s cost-effective and ensures high performance. However, we also produce certain batches — or offer on-demand options — made from cleaned and high-quality recycled HDPE. This helps reduce environmental impact without compromising quality.

HDPE is ideal for agricultural use because it’s resistant to harsh weather conditions — rain, sun and frost. That’s why bales wrapped in bale net wrap can be safely stored outdoors. Of course, for even longer preservation, we recommend using covers or agrofiber — but more on that in a separate article.

To further enhance durability, Polypak net wrap includes UV stabilizers, protecting the feed even under direct sunlight. This means your bales stay in good condition and maintain their structure for up to 18 months.

Why do you need to use bale net wrap?

Bale net wrap helps secure and preserve animal feed — whether hay, straw, silage, or green fodder — by tightly binding it into compact round bales. Wrapped in 2–3 layers, or more depending on the crop, the wrap holds the feed together and shields it from rain and sunlight. Essentially, the net acts as a protective barrier, keeping the bale intact and well-preserved for months — up to 18 months with Polypak net wrap.

Here are the key advantages:

  • Feed protection: Keeps your feed safe from weather and pests.
  • Time efficiency: Wrapping with net is significantly faster than using twine or film, which boosts productivity — crucial when working under time pressure or renting machinery.
  • Better feed quality: Net wrap creates a tighter, more secure package than twine, reducing spoilage and helping maintain nutritional value — leading to healthier livestock and less need for costly supplements.
  • Minimized feed loss: Proper wrapping helps prevent mold or damage from poor storage. The result? Less waste, easier transport and greater value per bale.

Common applications of bale net wrapping

Bale net wrap is mainly used in:

  • Hay baling: Round hay bales are easier to transport and store. With Polypak net wrap’s high protection level, bales can be safely stored outdoors with minimal losses — remaining mold-free for up to 18 months when stored properly.
  • Straw baling: The process is similar to hay, but straw — made from dried stalks of cereal, grain or legume plants — has higher tensile strength. It usually requires an extra wrap for optimal hold. Be sure your baler is properly adjusted to avoid bale break during storage.
  • Silage baling: Before wrapping silage in silage film, it’s recommended to first wrap it in bale net wrap (1.5–2 layers). This helps the bale keep its shape and ensures tighter packaging.
  • Biomass & renewable energy: Organic waste can be baled and wrapped for transport to bioenergy facilities, where it’s turned into biofuel or electricity. We covered this in more detail in another article.

In short, the main uses of bale net wrap are in agriculture and livestock farming — and, to a lesser extent, in renewable energy production. What makes it so effective is the combination of technical performance and practical benefits: it speeds up baling, simplifies transport and extends the shelf life of feed.

Why it’s important to use high-quality bale net wrap?

The quality of your wrapping materials plays a crucial role in preserving the nutritional value and condition of your forage throughout storage. A high-quality net wrap offers more reliable and longer-lasting protection for your bales. It also means fewer interruptions during baling due to wrap breakage, helping you work faster and more efficiently — especially during tight harvest windows.

If you’d like to test the performance of Polypak net wraps with your baler, simply reach out to our team to request trial rolls. We offer fast delivery from our warehouse in Poland for most European countries.

In contrast, low-cost and poor-quality net wraps often lack UV resistance and feature inconsistent mesh sizes. This results in uneven wrapping, reduced protection, and shorter storage life — ultimately leading to feed spoilage. Saving on net wrap might seem cost-effective at first, but it often leads to greater losses in feed quality down the line.

How to choose the right bale net wrap?

When selecting bale net wrap, there are just a few key parameters to keep in mind:

  • Roll dimensions — including width and length
  • Technical specs — especially bale strength, which determines how many times the net should wrap around the bale
  • Baler compatibility
  • UV protection 
  • Price
  • Quality

Polypak bale net wraps are compatible with nearly all widely used baler models and are made from high-grade polypropylene with built-in UV protection. Each roll undergoes strict quality control throughout production and packaging. This is why demand for our products keeps growing — and so does our production capacity.

How to use bale net wrap?

As mentioned earlier, net wrap is supplied in rolls designed for round balers. The process is semi-automated and relatively straightforward, but it’s important to pay attention to the setup and maintain your equipment regularly.

Here’s what the operator should check before baling:

  • Load the net roll correctly.
  • Ensure the blades are sharp and clean.
  • Remove any leftover material or debris.
  • Set the number of wraps based on the crop and the net’s specifications.

For Polypak net wrap, we recommend the following settings:

Before you start baling, make sure to:

  • Read and follow your baler’s instruction manual.
  • Check that the machine is in working order and the net roll is properly installed.
  • Adjust the number of wraps according to the type of crop being baled.

Want to make your bales even tighter and more even? We have put together some tips in this article. And to test bale netting from Polypack contact our managers by E-mail.