How to Open the String Closure on Grain Bags

If you have livestock to feed, from chickens to cattle to emus, chances are their feed comes in big grain bags. Grain bags are sewn shut across the top with a locking chain stitch that, in theory, makes opening the bag easy for the consumer; however, this is not always the case. Learning to open a grain bag quickly and with less frustration can speed up the process of feeding hungry livestock, maintaining a peaceable kingdom at feeding time.

Set the sack firmly on the ground with the stitched end facing up. Look closely at the stitching at the top of the feed sack. One side of the stitching will be a flat single running stitch, while the other side will have a knotty or looped appearance. Frequently the flat stitch is the "front" of the bag as well, with any printing appearing on that side.

Stand behind the feed bag with the looped or knotted stitched side of the bag facing you and the single running stitched side facing away.

Grasp the corner of the bag to your right and with a scissors or knife cut off the chain of stitches that extend past the edge of the bag.

Pull the stitches of the just-cut end apart with the point of a knife, scissors or your fingers until you have unravelled enough of the string to reach the fabric of the feed sack.

Grasp the end of the flat running-stitched string in your left hand and the loopy string in your right. Pull the strings away from each other. The stitching on the bag should unravel across the top, leaving you with an open feed sack.