How do you cover a silage bunker?

A second layer of plastic or a tarp is used on top to protect the thin plastic layer. A weighting material (tires, sand bags, rock filled bags etc.) hold the layers in place. This new system has proven to be better than 8 mil plastic for reducing dry matter loss at the top of the silage.

How long do silage tarps last?

These should be UV treated and can be filled with everything you can get your hands on: rocks, sand, soil, etc… the best ones should last 5 + years and we recommend using these ones.

What are silage tarps made of?

What Are Silage Tarps? Composed of UV-treated Polyethylene plastic, silage tarps can be used to cover the soil to reduce weed pressure and to help prepare the soil before planting. They are black on both sides and can be bought in any store that sells agricultural supplies or equipment.

How thick are silage tarps?

Silage Tarp Heavy Duty 6 mil String Reinforced Black/White.

Are silage tarps safe?

Put bluntly, using a silage tarp becomes indistguishiable using any other toxic chemical. Further, as is the case with every agricultural chemical, the farmers and their families are at risk if high levels of exposure.

How do you cover silage piles?

Covering the Pile Use tires to hold the plastic down on top of the pile as well (see Figure 4). Position the tires so that they touch one another. This seals the plastic to the silage and minimizes air spaces. Cutting the tires in half along the circumference has several advantages.

Do you have to cover a silage pile?

Silage should be covered as soon as possible with plastic But if the pile isn’t covered, the loss of feed will be noticeable. Even after the silage is packed correctly, air and water can penetrate the outer layers and severely damage the quality and quantity of silage.

Can you cut silage tarps?

Yes. Just use scissors, or a knife or razor blade. It will not fray the edges or compromise the integrity. If cutting the silage tarp lengthwise, it’s most simple to roll out the tarp to said length and cut across while the tarp still has the factory fold.

How long do wrapped silage bales last?

Storage life will depend on the type of plastic used. Stretchwrap plastic will give a storage life of 12 months, while plastic sheet can last for 2-3 years. Unwrapped round and square bales can be stored in pits or hillside bunkers and covered with plastic sheeting.

What MIL is silage tarp?

6 mil
Sometimes sourced as silage bunker covers, agricultural tarps are durable 6 mil plastic that can then be rolled or folded and reused multiple times over several years. The use of plastic for organic weed control is not new. Black plastic mulch is common practice.

What can I use instead of silage tarp?

Assuming you want to get away from tarps entirely, you can simply plow and form your permanent beds however you intend. We have talked about this a number of times, but tillage may—for those low in organic matter or rich in clay—be a good overall approach if done properly.