Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., is set to release a new inoculant designed specifically for farmers ensiling high-moisture corn. Pioneer® inoculant 11B91 features two proprietary strains of bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri, to enhance fermentation in high-moisture corn.

“The biggest advantage of this product is that it is a combination of two lactic acid-producing bacteria,” says Gene Gengelbach, forage products marketing manager for Pioneer. “That helps improve fermentation, increase bunk life and protect silage from heat and spoilage by yeast and other organisms.”

Pioneer recommends 11B91 for farmers who face problems of heating and aerobic instability in high-moisture corn. It is formulated for corn ensiled at the proper maturity in upright, bunker or bag silos at moistures ranging from 22 percent to 32 percent.

“This would be a good fit for someone who is feeding high-moisture corn during hot weather and having trouble with it overheating,” Gengelbach says. “They may have a storage structure that is too large for the amount they feed, or they may not be feeding it rapidly enough to keep it cool.”

11B91 has been demonstrated to reduce aerobic dry matter losses. The inoculated corn retained over 2 percentage units more dry matter than the untreated control in recent studies. 11B91 is nontoxic and noncorrosive. The water-soluble formulation contains a coloring agent for easy viewing in the applicator and a dechlorinator for use in chlorinated water.

11B91 is the fourth inoculant developed specifically for high-moisture corn by Pioneer, which has long been an industry leader in inoculant technology.

“It’s always been our philosophy to deliver crop-specific inoculants,” Gengelbach says. “By contrast, a lot of companies offer just one or two inoculants for all crops. We have found certain bacteria work better on different crops, and 11B91 is the latest in our line for corn.”

Gengelbach reminds farmers that an inoculant is not a substitute for poor silage practices. However, new 11B91 can be an excellent tool to protect quality and help farmers get the most feed value from their silage.

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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