Plastics in agriculture

[jwithhens]

Hi everyone,

I am researching plastic within agriculture, my father started using plastics to cover hay in the 1960s and since then plastics have increased. Therefore I would like to investigate the use of plastics today within crop cover such as plastic mulch. My father said scientists have made us use a lot of plastics since the 1980s and now there's bits of plastics all over the fields.
I'm interested in any farmers experience with plastic waste within agriculture, and perhaps the use of plastic today on your farms,
Also if anyone has experience with any new sustainable plastics, and their development and use within agriculture?
I'm hoping to help in the future with agriculture and reducing plastic waste,
Any replies would be much appreciated,

Thanks,
J

 

[Bury the Trash]

we just try to make hay these days, which ( as long s its cleanly made) suits sheep and our feeding system better with little or no waste.
hopefully one day they will make a more effective chemical preservative to stop moulds in higher moisture hay, that could be used instead of plastic.

Sorry i cant help with anything else.

 

[Bob the beef]

The one use of plastic that really bugs me is mineral tubs. They go out to the field get eaten out then have to be binned

I can’t believe there isn’t a way they can be returned to the feed companies cleaned, disinfected and refilled.

seems a total waste to me. Have brought it up several times with feed reps and they all spin the party line that it’s too expensive, time consuming, and currently against bio security
regulations

 

[GreenerGrass]

The one use of plastic that really bugs me is mineral tubs. They go out to the field get eaten out then have to be binned

I can’t believe there isn’t a way they can be returned to the feed companies cleaned, disinfected and refilled.

seems a total waste to me. Have brought it up several times with feed reps and they all spin the party line that it’s too expensive, time consuming, and currently against bio security
regulations

Theoretically you can buy refills.. but I've not anywhere local that stocks them

 

[Northeastfarmer]

The one use of plastic that really bugs me is mineral tubs. They go out to the field get eaten out then have to be binned

I can’t believe there isn’t a way they can be returned to the feed companies cleaned, disinfected and refilled.

seems a total waste to me. Have brought it up several times with feed reps and they all spin the party line that it’s too expensive, time consuming, and currently against bio security
regulations

They make good feed buckets in lambing pens here

 

[Bob the beef]

They make good feed buckets in lambing pens here

Yep used them for that when we lambed inside. Not much call for them now with everything outside. Could sell you 3/400 if you want?

 

[CollCrofter]

They make good feed buckets in lambing pens here

Bloody great buckets, I don't think I've ever binned one that wasn't broken

An old guy up the road from me said ''They're very expensive, but at the end of the day, you get a handy pale''. I got the 80 litre cattle ones this year too so again, handy temporary water buckets.

It's the only thing I hope they never change!!