How to Store Custom Farm Calf Feeding Bags When Not in Use

Putting a calf feeding bag away without a second thought seems harmless, but it decides how long that bag will actually last. Milk residue, trapped moisture and dust left inside the bag give mould and mildew everything they need, while sunlight, rodents and heavy stacking make the film brittle and prone to holes — and you usually discover the damage at the worst possible moment. As a manufacturer of spout pouches, bag-in-box (BIB) liners, colostrum bags and liquid packaging bags, KODY PACK has put together the handful of habits that keep custom farm calf feeding bags ready to use.

1. Clean and Dry the Bags Completely Before Storing

Key points:

• Rinse the inside with warm water to flush out milk residue; a mild detergent helps with stubborn deposits, but always rinse the soap away afterwards.
• Pay attention to the spout, outlet and seams — these corners trap the most residue and are where mildew shows up first.
• Hang the bag upside down to drain, or pat it dry with a clean towel.
• Full drying can take a day or two depending on the weather. Sealing a damp bag into a bin traps that moisture with it, and the wait is always worth it.

2. Pick the Right Environment and Storage Containers

• Look for dry, cool and shaded conditions. Direct sunlight breaks down plastic and laminated film over time, leaving the bag brittle and easy to tear.
• A well-ventilated shed or barn works well. Avoid basements and other damp spots, and keep bags off bare floors and walls where they can pull in moisture.
• A climate-controlled store room is ideal if you have one, since it holds temperature and humidity at the levels bags prefer.
• Sturdy plastic baskets hold several bags at once and still allow air to circulate, which helps keep the bags dry.
• Large plastic bins with lids are a good alternative — make sure the bin is clean first, and label it with bag type and size so you can find what you need quickly later.

3. Sort the Bags and Keep Pests Out

• Stack bags neatly in the container. Group different sizes together, and keep colostrum bags separate from regular milk feeding bags so you are not searching at feeding time.
• Rodents and insects chew through bag film, and a single hole makes the bag useless. Keeping the storage area clean and free of food debris is the most effective defence.
• Mothballs or natural essential oils can help repel pests, but keep them well away from the bags so they cannot contaminate them.
• If you store bags in a shed, seal cracks and holes so pests have no way in.

4. Inspect Regularly and Consider More Durable Bags

• Even in storage, check the bags every few months for cracks, tears or mould. Remove any damaged bag from the container straight away so it does not affect the others.
• Rotate your stock as you check, using the bags that have been stored longest first, so nothing sits untouched for too long.
• For longer storage life, look at aluminium foil colostrum bags: the foil layer adds a barrier against light, oxygen and moisture, and is far harder for pests to damage.
• Colostrum bags with a built-in feeding tube are very convenient — when storing them, keep the tube clean and protected by wrapping it in a clean cloth or placing it in a separate plastic bag.

Calf feeding bags are more often ruined by poor storage than by use. Turn these steps into a routine and your bags will stay ready whenever feeding time comes. KODY PACK supplies spout pouches, bag-in-box (BIB) liners, stand-up pouches with taps, colostrum bags, liquid packaging bags and laminated roll film to food, personal care and liquid packaging customers, with custom specifications and structures available. If you are looking for calf feeding bags that suit your farm's storage conditions, contact us for samples and a quote.