Bale Direct System
An alternative to the in-situ burning or grazing of chaff is to bale all chaff and straw material as it exits the harvester
The Bale Direct System developed by the Shields family at Wongan Hills (WA) consists of a large square baler directly attached to the harvester that constructs bales from the chaff and straw residues during harvest.
This system serves to both capture weed seeds and bale harvest residues for livestock feed. AHRI studies have determined that 95 per cent of annual ryegrass seeds are collected and removed from fields using this system. It’s a great system for those who have access to a market for the bales close to their farm.
Below are a number of videos and materials to help get you started. Remember to keep an eye on this page – we’ll be keeping you up to date with everything related to the Bale Direct System.
- Bale Direct financials factsheet
- Sensitivity analysis – grain yield factsheet
- Glenvar Bale Direct website
- AHRI insight: Rules of thumb (weed seed retention at harvest)
- AHRI insight: Spoiled rotten (all HWSC)
- AHRI insight: To win the war you must win the battles (all HWSC)
- GRDC IWM hub: managing weeds at harvest
