Silage Inoculant

Forage inoculant has become an increasingly important part of our business. The requirement for livestock producers to make top quality forage has never been greater, and the need for a dependable inoculant ranks as a top priority for most farmers.

Bright Maize has a proven range of tailored inoculants to accommodate the full spectrum of dry matter situations for all forage types: these include grass, maize, wholecrop, lucerne, and specialist high protein crops. Fulfilling the highest set out regulations and standards, and using only EU-approved bacterial strains and enzymes, these products are sold without additional marketing and pass on a meaningful saving to the farmer.

Our armoury of proven, EU-approved free enzymes and bacterial strains are:

Enzymes
• 1; k; 1 Alpha-amylase 3.2.1.1 B. subtilis DS098
• 1; k; 1 Beta-glucanase 3.2.1.6 A. niger MUCL 39199
• 1; k; 1 Xylanase 3.2.1.8 T. longibrachiatum MUCL 39203

Bacteria
• 1k20736 Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 30083
• 1k1010 Pediococcus pentosaceus DSM 23688
• 1k20745 Lactobacillus brevis DSMZ 16680
• 1k20738 Lactobacillus buchneri DSM 22501
• 1k20742 Lactobacillus kefiri DSM 19455

Enzymes (amylase, beta-glucanase and xylanase) attack starch, cellulose and hemicelluloses respectively, opening up the crop fibres and releasing sugars for subsequent microbial attack. Homofermentative bacteria (L. plantarum and P. pentosaceus) produce a favourable fermentation profile, rapidly creating anaerobic conditions and lowering pH as they ferment sugars to lactic acid. Therefore, efficient fermentation results in the inhibition of spoilage organisms, increased preservation of dry matter and reduced protein breakdown.

In higher dry matter silages, prone to the growth of yeasts, moulds and other fungi, heterofermentative bacteria (L. brevis and L. buchneri) complete the reaction. These species ferment sugars to both lactic and acetic acids, L. buchneri being particularly worthy of mention, its production of acetic acid providing outstanding aerobic stability both in the clamp and upon opening and feedout. Some strains of L. buchneri have been reported to increase dry matter losses but this is not the case for DSM 22501 which actually reduces them – a special ability that was highlighted in EFSA’s Scientific Opinion prior to EU authorisation of the strain.

Application rates for silage inoculants:

The standard application rate is 2 litres per tonne of fresh weight material, with the option of low dosage application, down to 40ml. The sachet size for the products is shown and so, for example, a 100tt sachet needs to be mixed with 200 litres of water for standard rate application.

The product range:

Benchmark

Our foremost product for low dry matter grass 18-35%, containing homofermentative strains to provide a rapid drop in pH, controlling the fermentation, reducing nutrient loss, preventing the growth of undesirable organisms and avoiding protein breakdown and secondary fermentation.

DryMark

For higher dry matter grasses, 25-38%. containing homofermenters to provide the benefits above, along with L. buchneri. This premium product provides excellent preservation and performance along with excellent aerobic stability.

Maize Extra

For use in dry matters between 25- 40%. A premium product and the clear choice for this crop, which although relatively easy to ensile is particularly susceptible to aerobic spoilage. Once again L. buchneri solves such problems without increasing dry matter losses. It prevents secondary fermentation and improves digestibility.

Wholecrop Extra

The product we offer for wholecrop cereals such as wheat, barley, oats and triticale; it also works well with legumes. It contains specialist enzymes and bacteria, optimised for this purpose. These crops are relatively easy to ensile either in the clamp or as big bale, but cereal fibres are made up of bundles of cellulose, held together in “bundles” with hemicellulose. Such fibres are not readily digestible in the rumen. In addition, high starch and sugar content means that wholecrop silage is extremely susceptible to contamination with yeasts and moulds, and subsequent problems with stability – heating and moulding, as well as the production of mycotoxins.

Beta-glucanase and xylanase enzymes in WHOLECROP EXTRA attack the cellulose/hemicellulose bundles in the crop, exposing a greater surface area for microbial attack in the clamp, as well as later in the rumen, meaning more efficient utilisation of fibre by the animal, and increasing the amount of energy available from the forage.

Biogas Max

A specialised inoculant for maize and other silage destined for anaerobic digestion. There are six products within the range, depending on the type of forage to be treated and the objectives sought. This is a growing market and sales continue to increase year on year. Biogas Max results in high acetic acid levels providing aerobic stability as well as enhancing the rate and quantity of biogas production. Biogas yield increases of 4.3% have been observed, providing a 3x return on the cost of product investment

Specialist Lucerne

For use in dry matters below 34%.