With silage season approaching, it’s time for producers to make decisions about managing quality in their silage crop. In addition to harvest conditions and chop length, also top of mind for growers is preserving silage quality. Using an inoculant can help keep ensiled forage fresh longer in the feed ration. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., is offering a new generation of inoculants that helps producers improve bunklife by inhibiting the growth of spoilage organism and minimizing losses during feedout.

“These new products contain specific strains of naturally occurring bacteria called Lactobacillus buchneri,” says William Rutherford, Ph.D., Pioneer research coordinator. “L. buchneri promotes aerobic stability of the silage stack and keeps forage fresher for a longer period of time. The net result is that silage inoculated with L. buchneri is more resistant to heating at feedout (exposed to air) compared to untreated silage.”

Any silage that becomes exposed to air eventually deteriorates, resulting in heating and shortened bunklife properties. Most poor quality silage is a result of aerobic instability due to the activity of spoilage organisms perpetuated by prolonged oxygen exposure.

L. buchneri helps increase bunklife and protect silage from heat and spoilage by microorganisms. It has the unique ability to convert some lactic acid into acetic acid, which is highly effective in improving aerobic stability of silage. L. buchneri inoculant has been shown to reduce aerobic dry matter losses, making it an excellent tool to protect quality and help growers get the most feed value from their silage. Research shows acetic acid concentration in treated corn silage increased up to 0.8 percent dry matter over untreated silage, and aerobic stability was improved. In these studies, there was no effect on feed intake or milk yield.

Also, yeast and mold levels in silage inoculated with L. buchneri do not increase as rapidly as untreated silage when exposed to air. As a result, the temperature of silage inoculated with L. buchneri does not rise readily upon exposure to air and tends to maintain temperature for several days, even in warm weather. Research has shown it takes 56 hours longer, on average, for silage treated with L. buchneri inoculant to heat 5 degrees above the environmental temperature than it does for untreated silage.

“Forage ensiling management is key to getting the most from any inoculant, including L. buchneri,” Rutherford says. “It’s a simple message but one that oftentimes is overlooked.”

That’s why forage experts recommend focusing on management practices, including:

• Harvesting at the right moisture content (not too wet, not too dry)
• Selecting the appropriate level of maturity
• Ensuring proper chop length
• Packing well and using an appropriate size storage structure
• Using quality additives, including L. buchneri
• Covering/sealing securely
• Using appropriate feedout practices

Following these practices, as well as setting ensiling goals upfront, can help silage producers minimize initial shrink losses, enhance silage nutritive value, and minimize feedout heating and bunklife losses.

Producers who have aerobic stability issues are realizing these and other benefits from the L. buchneri inoculant. To determine whether L. buchneri is right for your silage needs, Rutherford recommends weighing the costs and benefits of using a high-performing inoculant product.

“People tend to think they don’t have a problem with aerobic stability,” says Rutherford, “but research shows it exists any place silage is exposed to air.”

L. buchneri has been shown to improve the aerobic stability of a variety of crops, including corn, alfalfa, wheat, barley and ryegrass.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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