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Aerobic Spoilage Inhibitors In Silage

As a mechanism for ensuring satisfactory fermentation, Australian farmers and many professional contractors in recent years have regularly used additives as part of the silage making process

By Department of Primary Industries - 12th August 2009 - Back to News

Many years of silage additive research has resulted in thoroughly researched and robust products on the market world wide.

An example of this is the use of ‘aerobic spoilage inhibitors’, which were designed to delay the effects of air entering silage when a stack is opened for inspection, thus limiting spoilage through heating, yeast and mould growth.

It might be reasonable to ask why bother? Because when a silage stack is opened and exposed to air at feed out time, dormant ‘undesirable’ yeasts, mould spores and acetic acid producing bacteria activate; and then consume the residual plant sugars and lactic acids produced by favourable bacteria.

If the ensiling process was rapid at harvest, with plants of high sugar contents rolled well and sealed airtight soon after harvest, the build up of ‘undesirable’ elements are kept low.

If one of these ensiling management practices is less than ideal, such as large quantities of air being trapped in the stack due to poor compaction, the ‘undesirables’ will use the air to build up great numbers before they become dormant, with the moulds becoming spores over the storage period.

On opening, these populations grow very quickly and generate, carbon dioxide, heat and water (seen as steam rising from the stack or moisture under the plastic sheet) and mould growth. This activity also represents large losses of potential energy and the breakdown of true proteins into lesser products.

However, recent advances in controlling this aerobic spoilage are bacterial inoculants containing Lactobaciius buchneri 40788. The ‘40788’ refers to a specific strain of L. buchneri, shown to be most effective. It is still unclear as to how the end result delaying aerobic spoilage is achieved, but it is known to break down some of the lactic acid to acetic acid. This, in turn, inhibits yeast growth, the main culprits in stack heating and subsequent mould growth.

This bacteria, on its own and sometimes mixed with other bacteria, is applied at ensiling as are other inoculants, but works best if well established, good ensiling practices are followed. L. buchneri will not prevent silage spoilage and deterioration in stacks plastic casing has been holed for many days.

It is particularly valuable in maize and whole crop cereal silages cut at the soft dough stage. It is useful in stacks where the feeding face is too wide for the feed out rate. Farmers will know this by the heat and mould that was present in previous years.

While not advocating bad practices, L. buchneri may cover up poor face management such as a loose face, loose silage left at the stack base or where silage is left in a Total Mixed Ration overnight. However, the period of delayed spoilage will be substantially reduced compared to well managed situations due to the increased access to oxygen.

Another product, containing sulphur compounds plus amylase, that is worth considering is a fermentation inhibitor; it also has the effect of being an aerobic spoilage inhibitor at feed out.

When considering which products suit your needs, it’s worth asking the salesperson for independent research to back up any claims and, if convinced to buy the product, test its effectiveness at feed out. There should be no heating or mould growth for at least two to three days after opening, or possibly longer.

For more information, please contact Frank Mickan at DPI Ellinbank on (03) 5624 2222.

RURAL WOMEN ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR AWARD

Nominations for the 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Awards opened on Saturday, August 1.

The award, supported by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and run nationally by RIRDC, celebrates rural women and their valuable contribution to primary industries.

Ambassador for the 2010 Rural Women’s Award, Rosemary McKenzie said the work that rural women may consider to be part of their everyday working life could be considered a real achievement by others.

"If you know a rural woman in your area that has made a difference in primary industries, please encourage her to apply," Ms McKenzie said.

The winner receives a $10,000 bursary and both the winner and the runner-up are given the opportunity to attend the prestigious Australian Institute of Company Director’s Course in Canberra. The Victorian winner is also appointed to the Women in Primary Industries Advisory Panel for two years.

The bursary can be used for formal training in leadership and business management; overseas study tours; networking at forums and conferences; developing educational and promotional campaigns; developing training programs and information technology; and or publishing books.

The winner and runner-up will be announced in March 2010; the winner is eligible for the national Rural Women’s Award later in the year.

Application forms are available on the website www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au or by the contacting the State coordinator on (03) 9658 4493. Entries close on October 15, 2009.

FARMING DIARY

Learn to use farm chemicals safely

A two day veterinary and agricultural chemical course for farmers will be held in Heyfield on August 24 and 25, 2009.

Topics to be covered in the ‘Chemcert’ accredited training course include:

• Applied chemicals under supervision;
• How to prepare and apply chemicals; and
• Transport, handling and storage of chemicals.

The accredited course allows participants who successfully complete the course to apply to the Department of Primary Industries for an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP). Further training for a Pest Animal Bait 1080 endorsement is also available upon request.

For more information or to register, please contact Neville Prowse-Brown on (03) 5157 7575.

Climate Change Forum

The Victorian Government will be holding a public forum to discuss the recently released Victorian Climate Change Green Paper on Friday, August 28, 2009 in Morwell.

The Government is seeking community feedback on the ideas and strategies put forward in the Green paper towards the development of an effective, long-term response to Climate Change for Victoria.

The event will be hosted by Minister for Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, at Kernot Hall, Cnr Princes Drive and Monash Way, Morwell from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (refreshments included).

To register for this event, or for further information, call 1800 463 684 or visit www.climatechange.vic.gov.au

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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