Wrapped Right: Feed preservation that works where it matters

As expectations around bale quality, fermentation and product longevity continue to climb, Independent Wrap has carved out a clear role in delivering premium solutions for contractors and farmers who simply want the job done right. From silage inoculants and hay preservatives to multi-layer silage wraps designed for New Zealand’s varied conditions, the Independent Wrap offering is underpinned by science, supported by local testing and fine-tuned for performance in the paddock.

The ForageMate range of inoculants continues to gain traction among contractors and progressive farmers, particularly those focused on maximising dry matter recovery and silage consistency. ForageMate AP, in particular, has been tested in New Zealand under local conditions, where it demonstrated a clear performance advantage over untreated silage. Independent testing on the West Coast showed a significantly faster pH drop and more than double the lactic acid concentration in treated silage within the first two weeks. The result is a faster fermentation, reduced spoilage and improved feed quality.

Lactic acid plays a key role in preserving silage until it’s needed. With ForageMate AP, the production of lactic acid is both rapid and sustained thanks to the formulation’s three-strain bacterial profile. Each strain operates optimally within a different pH range, ensuring fermentation remains active throughout the critical early phase. In practice, this means the product helps producers lock in energy value early and safeguard feed quality for longer. The treated silage’s pH fell at a markedly quicker rate compared to the control, delivering better dry matter recovery, which ultimately translates to more tonnes of usable feed from each hectare harvested.

One of the more practical features of ForageMate AP is its visibility in the tank. When mixed, the solution turns blue, making it easier for operators to verify application levels on the fly. It’s suited to use on lucerne, grass, whole plant maize and cereals, and is priced with commercial producers in mind—those who already follow good silage-making practices and want a reliable inoculant that offers value without compromise.

ForageMate BP offers another layer of feed protection with a focus on bunkers and pits. Air exposure is the enemy of any ensiled material and where pit faces can become vulnerable, BP is formulated to guard against aerobic instability. Like its stablemate AP, ForageMate BP has been developed with consistency in mind, helping to retain nutritional value for as long as possible after feedout begins. Independent Wrap's data shows the BP-treated silage holds up significantly better when exposed to air compared to untreated samples. This is critical for larger operations that may only be removing a small amount of feed from the face each day and need to limit spoilage during that time.

In the hay market, where the moisture window is narrow and the pressure to get baling done on time is intense, Independent Wrap’s Hay Defender has become a go-to preservative. It’s designed to give contractors and hay producers more flexibility when weather conditions are marginal, allowing baling at slightly higher moisture levels without compromising quality or risking mould. For lucerne and lucerne-grass mixes, Hay Defender supports baling at moisture contents up to 23% for conventional bales and 20% for rounds. For larger square bales, it can handle up to 18% moisture in straight lucerne.

This increase in the acceptable moisture threshold buys valuable time, particularly during unsettled weather patterns, and helps preserve more of the crop’s nutritional value. By reducing dry matter losses and limiting microbial activity in the bale, Hay Defender provides peace of mind that the final product will remain palatable and safe for stock. For high-value crops like lucerne, where protein and energy levels are a priority, and minimising leaf loss through shattering when crops are baled at high moisture levels, this kind of safeguard can be the difference between a premium feed and a disappointing result.

Complementing the inoculants and preservatives is Independent Wrap’s range of agricultural films, which continues to set the benchmark in performance, durability and ease of use. The silage wrap line-up includes options across five- and seven-layer formats, all developed to handle New Zealand’s conditions, including UV exposure, high winds and fluctuating temperatures.

The Independent Wrap bale wrap collection includes several strong performers tailored to different contractor needs. The flagship “Elite” seven-layer wrap delivers both productivity and economy, with longer rolls available in 1900 and 2200 metre lengths. Titan, the superior-grade wrap, offers a high-grade 25-micron film in a 1500 metre roll, while the new XL 7 wrap provides a khaki-coloured option at 1650 metres and 22 microns.

Each of these wraps is built around consistent stretch, excellent cling and strong puncture resistance. These aren’t just buzzwords—in the paddock, where stony fields, broken bale edges, stalky crops or awkward stacking can wreak havoc on lower-grade films, a tougher wrap means fewer failures and less waste. The durability of these films also supports better oxygen exclusion, which is central to silage preservation.

For contractors who prefer five-layer wrap, Agroland and Newrap remain reliable choices. Agroland is a versatile khaki-coloured wrap available in 1500 metre rolls, built to handle a broad range of conditions. Newrap, Independent Wrap’s best-selling option, is offered in a variety of colour choices and comes in 1500 and 1800 metre rolls at 25-micron gauge.

Whether the job calls for longer rolls for fewer stops or higher-grade wrap for rough terrain, the range has been built to give contractors choice without compromising on quality. With every pass of the wrapper, contractors can feel confident they’re using a product that’s been proven, refined and selected to perform.

Independent Wrap has never taken a one-size-fits-all approach. Their product line is a reflection of years of on-the-ground experience and feedback from the farmers and contractors who rely on the gear every day. From how a product flows through an applicator tank to how it holds up after six months stacked under an open sky, the focus is on real-world performance.

In a time where feed losses can make or break a season and margins are constantly squeezed, investing in the right preservation system is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. With a product suite that covers inoculants, preservatives and wraps, Independent Wrap gives contractors and farmers the tools they need to get the best result - not just when the bale is wrapped, but when the feed is finally in front of the stock.

By combining evidence-backed formulations with practical product features and a commitment to local trialling, Independent Wrap continues to lead from the front. Their offering doesn’t just look good in the brochure - it performs where it matters: in the stack, in the pit and in the paddock.