Hay versus baled silage

 'Make hay while the sun shines'. We've all heard the saying but for many farmers and agricultural contractors this statement has become just as applicable when times are hard. Compared with baled silage, relying on hay as a winter feed can seem like a lower cost option. But is it actually a cheaper alternative? Or is it more a case of false economy?

The seven sins of silage

When it comes to producing good quality, nutritious silage small things can make a big difference. This is especially true of mistakes. A cut corner here or a slight oversight there can ultimately result in silage that’s unusable due to insufficient dry matter content or worse, that’s dangerous to herd health because of mould growth and the likely presence of mycotoxins or Listeria.

Silage around the world

They say it’s a small world. Well with advances in technology, particularly that relating to communication and travel, it’s only getting smaller. Today, it’s never been easier for the world’s farmers to share ideas, expertise and farming practices. So what lessons can we learn from our international counterparts when it comes to making good quality, nutritious silage?

Visqueen Clingseal - Top award for a top sheet

bpi.agri, manufacturer of high quality silage films, was announced as the winner of the 2010 Marketing Excellence Award for Manufacturing at a glittering Awards Ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on Tuesday night. The Award was made for the business’ campaign to promote the benefits of Visqueen Clingseal, a flexible, low permeability agricultural film which can significantly reduce top and shoulder waste in the silage clamp.

bpi shows support for RNLI

British Polythene Industries (BPI) plc has shown its support for the important work of the RNLI. The business - which ranks not only as Europe’s largest manufacturer of polythene films bags and sacks but also as Europe’s largest waste polythene recycler - has donated a Plaswood bench to the charity’s new Exmouth lifeboat station.

bpi.agri invests in new technology - and new possibilities

bpi.agri is set to augment its track record of providing high quality wide width films for agricultural applications with the imminent unveiling of a new production line in Ardeer, Ayrshire. The state-of-the-art wide width line, installed as part of a £7 million investment project at the site, is believed to be one of the widest and most advanced anywhere in the world.

BPI honoured with Scottish Green Award

Greenock based British Polythene Industries, Europe’s largest recycler of polythene film, was announced last night (30 Sept) as the winner of the Best Green Large Company category at the 2010 Scottish Green Awards ceremony.

bpi.agri backs Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies

Demonstrating the strength of its continued commitment to British agriculture, leading manufacturer of Visqueen Poliwrap balewrap and Visqueen silage sheeting bpi.agri has become a commercial sponsor of the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies.

Makers of maize silage urged to try new product

Farmers and agricultural contractors currently producing maize silage could be set for excellent results if they employ a new product.

Prize draw success for Dumfries agricultural contractor

An agricultural contractor from Dumfries is celebrating his success after being announced as the winner of a pallet of premium quality silage balewrap.

New Silage Advisory Centre to Support Farmers’ Decision-Making

New balewrapping website launched

Leading manufacturer of silage balewrap and silage sheeting, bpi.agri has launched a new website dedicated to its Visqueen Poliwrap® product. The site – www.visqueenpoliwrap.com – makes it easier than ever to explore the many benefits to this highly proven balewrapping film, which has become the preferred choice for thousands of farmers and agricultural contractors worldwide.

bpi.agri spends £10 million on factory

bpi.agri, the British-based, world leading manufacturer of silage balewrap and clamp sheets, has spent £10 million enhancing its Leominster factory. The move will significantly increase the manufacturer’s production capacity for products like Silotite®, Visqueen Poliwrap® and Polybale® . It will also enable the business to produce a whole new range of next generation agricultural films.

Advice that's not to be wasted

The UK’s leading manufacturer of agricultural films, bpi.agri, is stepping up its on-going activities to help farmers operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible when it comes to agricultural films. The company, which produces such well known bale wraps as Silotite, Visqueen Poliwrap and Polybale, has recently issued a number of top tips which provide expert advice on how to prepare your waste polythene for recycling - quickly, easily and cost effectively.

Protecting your baled silage from Wireworms

As has been well documented previously the correct storage of silage bales is vital to preserve and retain the quality and nutritional value of the feed inside.   Handling and storing bales properly avoids damage caused by birds and rodents or even grass stubble. However there is another potential hazard to baled silage, which has until now been overlooked, and that is the damage which can be caused by wireworms.