SECURE SILAGE STACK PROTECTION WITHOUT DIRTY, SMELLY TYRES

Use of the Secure Covers system ensures feed quality is  locked in, prevents bird & rodent damage and makes stack management easier. 
Secure Cover silage covers are a common feature in the UK and US and have proven popular with local Farmers in the short time they’ve been available in New Zealand. The polyethylene UV-resistant netting is placed over a standard polythene sheet and is held down along the seams and edges using Secure Gravel bags. These bags are made from the same material and are filled with pea metal.
The dense, strong nature of the knitted cover places it close to the polythene’s surface, reducing wind lift and minimising unwanted air intrusion which damages silage quality.
Sourced from UK company Thomas and Fontaine, the covers have established a reputation for their ability to withstand Force 7 storm conditions on the Orkney Islands through winter in  over 150kph winds. In New Zealand because our high UV levels, as well as wind, can reduce the longevity of plastic based products, the Secure Covers systems comes with a 10 year UV stability guarantee.
Craig Lipscombe from Secure Covers says bird and rodent damage is also minimised when using Secure Covers. Pukekos are a particular nuisance. 
​“One of the first covers we supplied was for a farmer whose whole stack had been devastated by pukekos picking holes in the plastic. The dense, tough polyethylene of the Secure Covers is impossible for pukekos and pests to penetrate,”says Lipscombe.
While some farmers may prefer to continue using the tyres they have accumulated over the years, the tough nature of the Secure Cover means tyres can be thrown onto the stack without fear of ripping a hole in it. However, the use of tyres introduces other issues, such as Hardware Disease, that can be harming  your stock.
The Secure Gravel Bags offer a flexible alternative to tyres, being easily filled with pea metal and tied off with supplied cable ties. The bags are a particularly appealing alternative to concrete posts for holding down stack sides, and unlike tyres can be easily stored on a pallet when not in use. 
A full Secure Cover system for a typical 12m by 30m silage stack costs around $2700 +GST, the polythene below can be reused and covering it will be quicker without messy tyres. 
Article supplied by Cotake NZ Ltd

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