{"id":451,"date":"2026-05-22T05:42:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T05:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/?p=451"},"modified":"2026-05-22T05:42:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T05:42:23","slug":"how-to-make-silage-bales-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/application\/how-to-make-silage-bales-a-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Silage Bales: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Knowledge Base \u00b7 Step-by-Step Guide<\/div>\n

The complete process from standing crop to sealed bale \u2014 covering mowing timing, wilting targets, baler setup, wrapping protocol, and storage \u2014 written for farmers making silage bales for the first time.<\/p>\n

New South Wales, Australia\u00b7EverPower Baling Machinery Australia Pty Ltd\u00b7+61 2 9708 3322<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Making silage bales<\/strong> is a time-sensitive process with a clear sequence of steps. Each step has a specific purpose, a target parameter, and consequences if it goes wrong. This guide walks through the full process in the order you will execute it in the paddock, from the first mower pass to placing the sealed bale in storage.<\/p>\n

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1<\/div>\n
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Mow at the Right Growth Stage<\/h2>\n

The quality of your silage is largely determined before the baler touches the crop. Grass species (ryegrass, fescue, kikuyu) should be mowed when they reach the late vegetative to early boot stage \u2014 when the seed head is just beginning to emerge from the stem sheath. At this stage, the plant has the highest combination of digestible energy and crude protein. Waiting until the plant is fully headed reduces digestibility by 3 to 5 percent per week and increases fibre content, producing silage that is less palatable and less nutritious for livestock.<\/p>\n

Mow in the morning after the dew has lifted. The cut height should be 60 to 80mm \u2014 cutting lower risks contaminating the windrow with soil (which introduces Clostridial bacteria), while cutting higher leaves valuable forage standing. Use a disc mower or mower-conditioner for clean cutting; a conditioner speeds the wilting process by cracking the stems and allowing moisture to escape more quickly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2<\/div>\n
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Wilt to the Target Moisture<\/h2>\n

After mowing, the cut forage needs to wilt in the paddock until its moisture content drops to the target range: 45 to 65 percent<\/strong> for bale silage. Freshly mown grass is typically 75 to 85 percent moisture, so the wilting period usually takes 12 to 36 hours depending on weather, crop density, and whether a conditioner was used. Tedding (spreading the swath) after mowing accelerates wilting by exposing more surface area to air movement and sunlight.<\/p>\n

How to test moisture:<\/strong> The simplest field test is the squeeze test. Grab a handful of wilted forage and squeeze it tightly for 30 seconds. If water drips freely, the crop is above 70 percent moisture and needs more wilting. If the forage holds its compressed shape and your hand feels damp, the moisture is approximately 60 to 65 percent \u2014 ideal for silage baling. If the forage springs back and your hand is dry, the moisture has dropped below 40 percent and the crop is too dry for effective silage fermentation. A handheld moisture meter provides more precise readings and is recommended for operators building experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3<\/div>\n
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Rake into Windrows<\/h2>\n

Once the forage reaches target moisture, rake it into windrows that are sized for your baler\u2019s pickup width. The windrow should be approximately 60 to 80 percent of the pickup width, centred in the baler\u2019s path, and consistent in height and density along its length. An uneven windrow produces uneven bales. If the crop volume per hectare is light, merge two mower passes into a single windrow using a twin-rotor rake to ensure each windrow contains enough material for a full, well-formed bale. Keep the rake tine height above the soil surface to avoid dragging dirt and stones into the windrow, which introduces spoilage bacteria and damages baler components.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4<\/div>\n
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Set Up the Baler<\/h2>\n

Before entering the paddock, complete the baler pre-start checks: verify PTO driveline condition and guard security, check belt tension and condition (for variable chamber models), confirm net wrap is loaded with the correct feed direction, verify the net knife is sharp, set the chamber pressure to the manufacturer\u2019s recommendation for silage (typically moderate pressure \u2014 lower than dry hay), and set the target bale diameter.<\/p>\n

Connect the PTO and hydraulic lines to the tractor, engage the PTO at the specified speed (usually 540 rpm), and confirm all functions operate correctly before driving into the windrow. The first bale of the session is a test bale \u2014 inspect it after ejection for shape, density, net wrap coverage, and any issues before committing to full production speed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5<\/div>\n
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Bale the Windrow<\/h2>\n

Drive along the windrow at a steady forward speed that keeps the pickup feeding consistently without overloading. For most round baler<\/strong> models, this is 5 to 10 km\/h depending on windrow density and crop moisture. The baler\u2019s monitor or indicator will signal when the bale has reached the target diameter and density. The net wrap cycle activates automatically on most modern balers, applying 2.5 to 3.5 rotations of net around the bale. After the net wrap cycle completes, the tailgate opens and the bale is ejected. Do not stop the tractor during ejection \u2014 continue forward to clear the bale and immediately begin feeding the next bale. Maintaining rhythm and forward momentum maximises throughput and minimises the time the baled forage sits unwrapped.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6<\/div>\n
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Wrap Within 2 Hours<\/h2>\n

This is the most time-critical step in the entire process. Every hour between bale ejection and wrapping is an hour of aerobic spoilage activity inside the bale. The target is to wrap every bale within 2 hours of ejection<\/strong> \u2014 preferably faster. If using a separate wrapper, coordinate the baling and wrapping operation so the wrapper follows behind the baler in the same paddock. If using a combined baler wrapper<\/strong>, wrapping happens within seconds of ejection, eliminating this timing risk entirely. Apply a minimum of 4 layers of stretch film (6 layers for bales stored longer than 9 months or in high-UV environments). Ensure the film pre-stretch is set correctly for the film specification \u2014 typical pre-stretch is 55 to 70 percent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7<\/div>\n
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Transport and Store Carefully<\/h2>\n

Wrapped bales are vulnerable to film punctures during handling and transport. Use a bale grab or squeeze attachment on the loader rather than a spike, which pierces the film. Transport at low speed over smooth tracks \u2014 rough ground and high speed cause bales to bounce and the film to contact sharp edges. At the storage site, place bales on a flat, well-drained surface \u2014 not directly on stubble, which can puncture the film from below. Store bales standing on their flat ends rather than on their sides to minimise ground contact area and reduce the risk of moisture pooling.<\/p>\n

Inspect bales within 48 hours of placement for any film damage from transport. Repair punctures immediately with silage tape. Inspect the storage site monthly through the storage period and repair any new damage from birds, rodents, or weather before the spoilage zone can expand<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Recommended Product: EverPower 9YG-1.25 Round Baler<\/h2>\n

For beginners stepping into silage bale production, the EverPower 9YG-1.25 Round Baler<\/strong> offers a practical balance of capacity, simplicity, and build quality. The 1.25m bale format is the most common in southeastern Australian dairy and livestock operations, compatible with standard wrappers and loaders. The pickup and net wrap systems are designed for straightforward setup and reliable operation, reducing the learning curve for first-time baler owners.<\/p>\n

\"EverPower<\/p>\n
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Featured Equipment<\/div>\n
EverPower 9YG-1.25 Round Baler<\/div>\n

Mid-range round baler producing 1.25m bales for silage, hay, and straw. Reliable pickup, precision net wrap, adjustable chamber pressure, and compatibility with 60\u201390 PTO hp tractors. Ideal entry point for farm-owned silage production.<\/p>\n

View Full Specifications \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Related reading:<\/strong> See how mixed-farm operators bale oaten hay and straw without a contractor: How to Bale Oaten Hay and Straw on a Mixed Farm Without a Contractor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Get Started with Your First Baler \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n

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\ud83d\udcde Talk to the Team<\/div>\n
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Company:<\/strong>
\nEverPower Baling Machinery Australia Pty Ltd<\/div>\n
Address:<\/strong>
\n27 Harley Crescent, Condell Park NSW 2200<\/div>\n
Phone:<\/strong>
\n+61 2 9708 3322<\/a><\/div>\n
Email:<\/strong>
\nsales@silage-baler.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\n1. How long does silage take to ferment after wrapping?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Active fermentation takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks, during which the pH drops from around 6.0 to the stable preservation range of 3.8 to 4.5. However, most agronomists recommend leaving wrapped bales undisturbed for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks before feeding to allow the fermentation to fully stabilise. Opening bales earlier risks reactivating aerobic spoilage before the preservation is complete.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n2. Can I make silage bales without a wrapper?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
No. The wrapper provides the airtight seal that enables anaerobic fermentation. Without wrapping, the baled forage will spoil through aerobic degradation rather than fermenting into silage. If you only have a baler without a wrapper, you can produce dry hay bales (moisture below 20 percent) but not silage. To produce silage, you need either a standalone wrapper or a combined baler-wrapper.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n3. What happens if it rains on the windrow before baling?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Rain rewets the windrow, extending the wilting period and washing sugars from the plant surface. The lost sugars reduce the fuel available for lactic acid fermentation, which can compromise preservation quality. If rain is forecast, the options are to bale immediately at the current moisture (if within 45\u201365%), or wait for the windrow to dry again after the rain. Avoid baling a windrow that has been rained on and is now above 65% moisture \u2014 effluent and Clostridial spoilage are likely.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n4. Do I need to add silage inoculant?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Inoculant is not mandatory but is recommended, particularly for crops with lower natural sugar content (legumes like lucerne and clover) and for farms in regions where fermentation conditions are marginal. Inoculant adds high concentrations of lactic acid bacteria to the forage at the point of baling, accelerating the pH drop and reducing the window during which spoilage organisms can compete. For high-sugar grasses like ryegrass, natural fermentation usually proceeds adequately without inoculant.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n5. How many bales per hectare should I expect?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Bale yield per hectare varies widely depending on crop species, fertility, rainfall, and bale size. As a general guide for improved ryegrass pasture in southeastern Australia: a single cut producing 3 to 5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare typically yields 8 to 15 round bales (1.2m diameter) at silage moisture. Irrigated or multi-cut systems can produce 25 to 40+ bales per hectare per season across all cuts combined.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n

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EverPower Baling Machinery Australia Pty Ltd<\/strong>
\n27 Harley Crescent, Condell Park NSW 2200 \u00a0|\u00a0 +61 2 9708 3322<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 sales@silage-baler.com<\/a>
\nAbout Us<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 Contact Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Knowledge Base \u00b7 Step-by-Step Guide The complete process from standing crop to sealed bale \u2014 covering mowing timing, wilting targets, baler setup, wrapping protocol, and storage \u2014 written for farmers making silage bales for the first time. New South Wales, Australia\u00b7EverPower Baling Machinery Australia Pty Ltd\u00b7+61 2 9708 3322 Making silage bales is a […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=451"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":456,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/451\/revisions\/456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}