Fodder - Guard is the Australian and New Zealand authorised distributor of TOPTEX® by Solmax, the world-leading breathable bale covers trusted by farmers worldwide.
How TOPTEX® Protects Your Hay and Straw
TOPTEX®bale covers are made from a durable, breathable fabric that resists rainfall and harmful UV rays. Unlike plastic covers that can trap moisture, TOPTEX® lets water run off while allowing humidity from inside the haystack to escape. This balance helps reduce mould growth and preserve the nutritional integrity of your hay and straw for longer periods.
Designed for both large and small farms, TOPTEX® covers are easy to install and secure, a cover for 80 bales weighing only 18kg.
Over multiple seasons, they withstand wind, sun, and heavy rain, reducing the need for frequent replacements and helping protect your investment in an increasingly expensive feed market.
Uncovered Bales Lose Quality and Increase Cost
In Australia, where drought and extreme weather are increasingly common, unprotected hay and straw bales can quickly lose quality. Rain, prolonged sunlight, and fluctuating humidity can cause even well stacked bales to absorb moisture, leading to mould, rotting, and a loss of nutritional value.
Sun damaged hay and straw becomes brittle or dusty, reducing its suitability for livestock feed. When bales are compromised, farmers face a choice: deal with unusable feed or purchase additional bales to replace what’s spoiled. With hay and straw prices at an all-time high, this can significantly increase operational costs and impact farm profitability.
Mould can spread rapidly through a haystack, turning a valuable feed source into a costly disposal problem. Livestock consuming even mildly contaminated hay or straw may eat less or experience digestive issues, leading to lost productivity, additional veterinary expenses, and stress over feed safety.
Maintaining Dryness Preserves Resource
Keeping bales clean and dry extends their shelf life sometimes up to two years and ensures feed availability during periods of shortage. In regions affected by drought, every bale counts.
Consistent bale quality helps maintain livestock health and performance, while dry straw bedding keeps stalls cleaner and more comfortable, improving herd welfare. Effective bale management ultimately pays for itself, providing immediate savings and greater operational security.
Low Water Absorption
Most rain beads off the surface, preventing moisture damage.
Excellent Airflow
Promotes rapid drying of bales, helping maintain nutritional integrity and reducing spoilage.
Rapid Drainage
Designed to quickly restore breathability, ensuring your hay and straw stays dry and healthy.
Easy to Handle
Lightweight and simple to install or remove, making bale management faster and easier.
Reduces Spoilage
Minimises mould growth to protect both feed and bedding, keeping your hay and straw in top condition.
Proven Long-Lasting Performance
Designed to deliver reliable protection for multiple years, even under extreme Australian and New Zealand weather conditions, when removed and stored correctly.
Velcro Tape and Weight Bags
To help keep your TOPTEX®bale covers in place through wind and weather, we offer heavy-duty Velcro tape and adjustable weight bags designed specifically for use with our covers.
The tape provides a secure seam seal and helps fasten covers neatly, while the weight bags can be filled on-site and positioned along edges to hold everything down without damaging your bales. If you’d like more information on sizes, compatibility, or how to choose the right combination for your setup, just reach out.
HOW TO INSTALL TOPTEX®?
We recommend
Leaving one end closed, one end open for immediate use.Fully covering both ends of the bales to protect against quality degradation.Stacking bales with a 50% offset to increase haystack stability.