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What are silage inoculants?

What are silage inoculants?

Silage inoculants are additives containing anaerobic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that are used to manipulate and enhance fermentation in haylage (alfalfa, grass, cereal) and corn silage.

Why do you inoculate silage?

Silage inoculants assist in the fermentation process of silage making, whereas aerobic spoilage inhibitors work by delaying the onset of silage spoilage such as heating and mould growth causing lost dry matter, quality and palatability.

What is a silage additive?

Silage additives are designed to do one of two things, although some additives can do both: Improve fermentation in the silo to give better protein quality – not greater crude protein, no silage inoculant can do this – and increased sugar content and reduce fermentation DM losses.

Why is silage fermented?

Efficient fermentation is designed to create a more palatable and digestible feed which encourages dry matter intake and improves performance. Six phases occur during the silage fermentation process. As the forage is harvested, aerobic organisms predominate on the forage surface.

How is silage fermented?

Silage undergoes anaerobic fermentation, which starts about 48 hours after the silo is filled, and converts sugars to acids. Fermentation is essentially complete after about two weeks. Before anaerobic fermentation starts, there is an aerobic phase in which the trapped oxygen is consumed.

What is the difference between silage and Soilage?

Fermented green forage fodder stored in a silo. Forage feed cut and fed to animals while still fresh. Silage () is a type of fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by acidification, achieved through fermentation. …

Are silage additives worth it?

For farmers aiming to make high-quality silage, the inclusion of an additive can significantly help improve silage fermentation and quality. This is important as increasing silage quality will lead to a higher level of production on beef, dairy and sheep farms.