A tagger assembly has a tagger for affixing labels onto a lineal object binding a bale of agricultural crop material. The tagger having an input port for receiving the lineal object and an output port for evacuating the lineal object, and at least one retaining element for tensioning the lineal object, more particularly for tensioning the lineal object when it is raised from an initial position close to the bale to a raised position further away from the bale, for affixing a label.