Silage Inoculants Upgraded

For our many organic customers, and those who prefer not to use the power of feed silage preservatives we have upgraded our range of silage inoculants.

Activator Plus uses an elite strain of Lactobacillus plantarum to speed-up the lactic fermentation of grass, grass/clover and lucerne silage harvested below 28% dry matter (DM).

When used at the recommended rate, Activator Plus supplies 1,000,000 bacteria per gram of forage.

Independent trials (IBERS 2009) have shown that the rapid pH decline achieved will preserve more of the dry matter (fermentation losses reduced to less than half those of an untreated control) and true protein in the forage, and increase palatability. This results in improved intakes and significant improvements in milk yield and quality* in the dairy herd and daily liveweight gain increases in beef cattle.**

*Wye College; **ADAS Liscombe

Summary of Wye College Dairy Trial

Activator + CA

Activator + CA is ideal for use on higher DM grass silages (28%DM+), wholecrop cereal and arable silages, maize silage and crimped cereals. Yeasts, which are present on the crop at harvest and are the micro-organisms that initiate aerobic spoilage, are frequently a problem on these higher DM crops and cause significant loss of nutrient value. As they grow they consume lactic acid and sugars, raising the pH of the silage to a point where moulds can grow. These cause further losses and increase the risk of raised mycotoxin levels which can have a further, deleterious effect on animal performance and fertility.

Combining all the improved fermentation and animal performance benefits of Activator Plus with a specific citrate as an additional food source for the Lactobacillus plantarum, the citrate is converted to the powerful yeast-inhibiting compounds acetic acid and diacetyl (fig.2). Activator + CA can more than double the time that the silage remains aerobically stable (fig.1), thereby reducing feedout losses and expensive waste.