A bale press comprises a pressing channel (1) in which a piston (2) is displaceable for forming a bale (4 5) from crop material supplied to the pressing channel (1), a yarn supply (16), and a knotter device (6) arranged at a side of the pressing channel (1). The knotter device (6) comprises a first holder (8) for releasably holding an end portion of a yarn (9), a yarn deflecting member (11) and a knotter beak (20). The yarn (9) extends between the first holder (8) and the yarn supply (16) across the deflecting member (11) and a side (14) of the bale (5) facing away from the piston (2). The knotter beak (20) is arranged to tie a knot in a first stretch (10) of the yarn extending between the first holder (8) and the deflecting member (11). A second holder (22) is arranged to hold the yarn (9) at the deflecting member (11) at least in an initial phase of bale formation.
