September 4, 2003

 

New Silage Additives May Cut Down Spoilage Loss

If you have problems with moldy or spoiled silage, you may want to consider the new commercial silage additives containing Lactobacillus buchneri, according to a dairy specialist at North Dakota State University.

"Lactic acid formation is the key to efficient fermentation of silage at the beginning of the ensiling process before the pile is opened. But once the silage has been exposed to air, lactic acid doesn’t do a good job of inhibiting spoilage for yeast and mold spores. However, acetic acid does," says J.W. Schroeder of the NDSU Extension Service.

New commercial products with L. buchneri promote the formation of both acetic acid and lactic acid. While this appears to be the ideal combination, there may be tradeoffs, Schroeder says. For example, fermentation at the front end of ensiling may be less efficient with L. buchneri when compared to conventional silage additives. Research by Pioneer Hi-Bred International indicates that fermentation dry matter loss may be 0.6 to 2 percent greater with L. buchneri than conventional silage additives, the result of extra biological processes.

"At first glance, using these additives appears a bit pricey – from $1.50 to $2 per treated ton," Schroeder says. "However, it is more expensive to lose silage to spoilage. Typical spoilage losses have been estimated at more than $3 per ton."

Once silage is exposed to oxygen, organisms get re-energized. Damage occurs as silage begins to heat. Damage to silage is significant when the temperature increases by 5 degrees. When treated with L. buchneri, silage heating is slowed. Pioneer Hi-Bred International research found that it took 56 hours longer, on average, for the treated silage to heat 5 degrees than it did for untreated silage. "No, it won’t prevent spoilage, but it could help keep losses below economically significant levels," he says.

"Regardless of whether or not you use commercial silage additives, your primary goal is good silo management," Schroeder says. "Make sure the pile is the proper size for efficient removal rate. Remove 12 to 18 inches from the face as you move across it, especially during warm weather. Scrape down, versus up, on the face to avoid fractures that allow oxygen to enter the mass. To the best of your ability, minimize the amount of time that the silage face is exposed to oxygen."

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Source: J.W. Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu