How much does it cost?
Since each plastic roll costs approximately $80 (2012 prices) and will cover 25-30 bales, the average cost per bale is $3-4. Because the cost of the wrapper varies and the type of wrapper determines the amount of labor and plastic that will be required, the total cost of baleage per ton of dry matter (DM) is highly dependent on the type of wrapper used. The more expensive wrappers (in-line) are usually less labor intensive and can use less plastic than the cheaper models. Producers should use a wrapper that will minimize the capital investment, the amount of plastic used, and labor costs for their system. The cost of baleage, therefore, will vary from $10-15 per ton of DM. This is much less expensive than conventional silage methods and is very competitive with the cost of conventional hay when the losses associated with making and storing hay are taken into account.