Nathaly Carpinelli and Osvaldo Sousa
Silage is a method of preserving moist green forages through acidification. The silage-making process consists of several stages, and success is directly linked to the proper execution of each stage, which ranges from choosing the crop to be planted, the type of silo (bunker, surface, horizontal, or bag), harvest timing (dry matter and “maturity”), choice of inoculant, filling, sealing, and management of the silo face/feedout.
Silage can be obtained through the addition of acid to the material to be preserved or through the fermentation of carbohydrates under appropriate conditions of moisture and anaerobiosis for bacterial action to take place on that material. The absence of oxygen and the drop in pH in a short period of time allow for the development of lactic acid-producing anaerobic microorganisms, which are of paramount importance for the fermentation process to occur. In addition to the fermentation process, opening the silo and feed-out are of utmost importance, since the re-exposure of the material to oxygen can affect the quality of the feed that will be provided to the herd. Thus, paying attention to the compaction process and using inoculants capable of inhibiting yeast growth can provide greater aerobic stability to the feed and less proliferation of undesirable microorganisms (yeasts and molds). Therefore, the combination of techniques and tools to rapidly reduce pH, expel oxygen, quickly stabilize the material (pH below 4.2), and prevent the proliferation of fungi after oxygen re-exposure are extremely important for the ensiling process, and among these techniques, the use of inoculants is an efficient tool that contributes to the success of ensiling.
Inoculants are added to silages for the purpose of correcting characteristics that are inherent to the raw material (dry matter, sugar concentration, among others). The objective of using an inoculant is primarily to optimize the fermentation process, prevent future problems regarding the quality of the ensiled material, and ensure greater aerobic stability after opening the silo. An effective inoculant acts to dominate the entire fermentation process, resulting in a more rapid pH drop and a more efficient fermentation of carbohydrates, offering a higher proportion of lactic acid in this process, while minimizing protein degradation. All of this results in lower dry matter loss and greater preservation of feed quality.
Several species of bacteria can be used in inoculants, which may be homofermentative, heterofermentative, or a combination thereof. Lactobacillus plantarum (homofermentative) and the Lactobacillus buchneri (facultative heterofermentative), are examples of lactic acid bacteria most commonly used in inoculants, with the aim of improving the fermentation process and ensuring aerobic stability. Gaining rapid and complete mastery of silage fermentation by lactic acid bacteria is the path to obtaining a high-quality feed, as we are able to maximize the conservation of the nutrients present in the ensiled material. As a result, we deliver a silage of high nutritional quality to the herd, which will help the producer improve diet quality and, consequently, increase the farm's production gains.
Having the right bacteria is only half the battle. They must be up and running as quickly as possible after application to the crop. Most inoculants on the market contain freeze-dried bacteria, a process that preserves their structure until water is added for reactivation. Therefore, when we use inoculants in silages, we are delivering a large number of specially selected bacteria to the material, which will dominate the forage's natural bacterial population and start the fermentation process more quickly. For this reason, we must pay attention to some important points when choosing an inoculant, such as:
- Which bacteria are present;
- What is the safety level of your handling/application?;
- Scientific studies proving the effectiveness of the inoculant;
- Contribution to the fermentation process and dry matter losses (%);
- Aerobic stability level;
- Maintenance/increase in the nutritive value of the conserved crop;
- Return in animal productivity;
Nutricorp has brought Ecosyl to Brazil, considered the most researched silage inoculant in the world. It is composed of a unique and specialized strain of L. plantarum called MTD/1, and also L. buchneri which helps with aerobic stability upon opening the silo. The differential is that Ecosyl and Ecocool act over a wide silage pH range (above 6.8 and below 4), and without the need for auxiliary strains to initiate fermentation, promoting the multiplication of bacteria from the beginning to the end of the process. All of this makes Ecosyl and Ecocool different and specific.
In summary, the ensiling process is a dynamic and extremely valuable conservation method within the beef and dairy cattle production system. However, it can present itself as a complex process composed of several steps within the production system, requiring proper care and attention during ensiling to minimize losses, maximize results, and ensure the success of the operation. There are strategies to optimize conservation, such as the use of bacteria-based inoculants L. plantarum and/or L. buchneri, thereby improving the quality of the feed that will be offered to the herd, and consequently the performance of the animals. It is worth noting that the use of inoculants does not cancel or replace good production practices, but is rather used as “insurance” for the silage being produced within the production system.