With prices significantly higher than last year and faced with unpredictable weather, using a preservative like听Baler鈥檚 Choice can be a wise decision to ensure top-quality, dust and mould-free bales that can fetch current high market values.
Rising Straw Prices
According to the British Hay & Straw Merchants Association (), the prices of barley and wheat straw have increased considerably. The average prices are now 拢83 and 拢90 per tonne ex-farm, respectively, reaching up to 拢90 and 拢120 per tonne in the South West. This marks a significant rise from last year鈥檚 values.
The Benefits of Baler's Choice
While Baler鈥檚 Choice is primarily used to preserve hay quality and prevent spontaneous combustion when baling at moisture contents above 15%, it is equally effective for straw. In particular, it is beneficial for crops where the straw remains green while the heads are ready. Baling green straw without treatment can lead to the development of wadding and moulds, which contain mycotoxins. These mycotoxins pose significant respiratory risks to livestock and can cause performance issues.
Trial Results
Trials on straw bales baled at 21% moisture content demonstrated the efficacy of Baler鈥檚 Choice. In untreated bales, mould and yeast levels rose dramatically over two months:
| CFU/Gram | Before (UT) | After (UT) | Before (T) | After (T) |
| Mould | 75 | 14,000,000 | 77 | 1,300 |
| Yeast | 47 | 11,000,000 | 40 | 100 |
(UT = Untreated)
(T = Treated)
Safe and Effective
Baler鈥檚 Choice preservative is non-corrosive, with a pH of 6, making it safe to handle and non-damaging to machinery. Specifically designed for hay and straw, Baler鈥檚 Choice allows for safe baling at higher moisture contents.
Consistent Quality with Automatic Monitoring
Research from听 highlights that moisture content can vary by up to 5% along a 100m swath. Although a crop may appear dry, this variability can lead to inconsistent baling. The Baler鈥檚 Choice applicator automatically monitors the crop鈥檚 moisture content as it enters the chamber, adjusting the application of the preservative to ensure uniformity. This process prevents hot spots, ensures consistent quality, and adds value to the bales, achieving a premium product at a cost as low as 拢1.43 per bale**.
Distribution and Partnership
Baler鈥檚 Choice and Harvest Tec applicator systems are distributed in the UK by , working in conjunction with Carrs Billington and Monarch Agri. For more information on Baler鈥檚 Choice and its benefits, visit the听Baler鈥檚 Choice page or feel free to get in touch.听
**Based on an 80脳90 bale size. BHSMA values for the week commencing July 28, 2024.