Friday, 23 February 2024 10:55

Investing in eco-friendly bale storage

Written by  Mark Daniel
CNH is supporting the development of the first viable compostable net wrap for bales in agriculture. CNH is supporting the development of the first viable compostable net wrap for bales in agriculture.

Through its investment arm CNH Ventures, CNH is supporting the development of the first viable compostable net wrap for bales in agriculture.

The investment in the Canadian start-up Nature’s Net Wrap aims to accelerate their mission to eliminate waste from the process of collecting and storing baled crops.

During harvesting operations based around large round bales, once a bale is formed it is generally held with a coating of net wrap and an outer layer of stretched plastic, which at the point of use is removed and eventually ends up getting burnt or placed in landfills. Farmers and contractors are limited in the reuse or recycling of plastic wraps or nets, negatively impacting their environmental footprint.

Shifting to compostable net wraps has the potential to significantly benefit farmers and the environment.

It will help reduce landfill use, haulage and disposal costs, eliminate soil contamination, improve animal safety, and reduce the risk of water contamination, likely resulting in a reduction of around 2.5 million tons of plastic waste each year.

With high growth in this market is propelled by the general demand for chemical- and plastic-free solutions, the innovation uses biopolymer material made from renewable resources.

It is said to hold up structurally and can naturally break down in the earth’s soil or alternatively be composted.

CNH’s investment is supporting the testing and validation of the solution, with one of the company’s New Holland balers being used to produce all the bales in the testing phase.

An initial product launch is expected later in the year.

More like this

Quick, accurate access to data

Agri-tech company Precision Farming is linking with John Deere’s Operations Centre guidance technology to automate nutrient and spray record-keeping and Nitrogen Cap compliance for farmers.

Can-Am pushes the boundaries

Can-Am is pushing the boundaries of performance in its Outlander line-up of ATVs with the launch of the new 850 and 1000R models, said to offer industry-leading horsepower, increased suspension travel and refined handling.

Featured

Support welcomed for southern farmers

Federated Farmers says it welcomes the announcement of extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago after the region was hit by severe wet weather.

Tatua’s $10.50/kgMS tops, again!

Waikato-based milk processor Tatua has announced a final 2023-24 season payout of $10.50/kgMS for its farmer shareholders, again topping the payout stakes among NZ milk processors.

Will silver turn to gold for state farmer?

Tucked away in a remote part of the central North Island, staff at a Pāmu (Landcorp) farm are working hard to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy and beef sectors.

National

Machinery & Products

Quick, accurate access to data

Agri-tech company Precision Farming is linking with John Deere’s Operations Centre guidance technology to automate nutrient and spray record-keeping and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Seaweed wonder

OPINION: Research across the ditch has found that seaweed doesn’t just make a tasty wrap for sushi rolls.

Sour grapes

OPINION: As a country we should be celebrating Fonterra’s solid annual results announced last week.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter