Optimize Research

Optimize Silage Trials with Kingshay

Kingshay provides a unique service to UK Dairy Farmers by carrying out research and training in key areas of farming.

Over the last 10 years they have tested and reported on the effectiveness of silage additives and provided guidance to good silage making practice and areas of priority on which farmers should concentrate so as to make the healthiest and most nutritious silage.  They give the results, good or bad, completely independent of commercial bias. When silage additives are tested, they are measured for nutrient conservation, pH and effectiveness in controlling stability.  In recent years a better understanding of the effects of mycotoxins on ruminants has led to more attention being paid to the stability aspects of silage preservation.  The benefit of very stable silage is to improve dry matter intake and production from all types of silage.

In 2006, a stability trial was undertaken by Kingshay to the following protocol:

Optimize Inoculant v’s Untreated Control

Protocol:

• The additive was tested alongside a no additive control
• The additive was applied at the recommended rate
• Four mini-silos of silage were made for each treatment
• The grass was tested for quality and contamination before ensiling
• The silos were sealed and left for 12 weeks
• On opening, the silages was tested for quality and contamination
• The silage was exposed to air and aerobic spoilage was monitored

The results were statistically analysed to highlight any significant differences between the treatments

GRASS QUALITY

The additive (Optimize) was applied to a crop of perennial ryegrass from a 4 year old sward with approximately 10% clover. The grass was cut at Bridge Farm, Glastonbury during late morning on the 31st May 2006. The crop was wilted, then picked up by a trailed forage harvester on the 1st June. The weather and a delayed cutting date meant mature material was harvested which affected protein quality but good sugar levels and dry matter was achieved. More mature crops carry a heavier yeast and mould count, analysis of the grass at ensiling including lactobacillus count and yeast & mould count is given in the table below:-

Quality of grass entering the silos

Dry Matter %: 24.3
CP (%DM): 13.3
ME (MJ/kg DM): 11.4
Sugar (%DM): 20.2 (4.9% of fresh)
Yeasts (cfu/g): 41,721
Moulds (cfu/g): 193,473
Lactic Acid Bacteria (cfu/g): 1,221,000
Source: Kingshay

Optimize is an inoculant and enzyme combination designed to maximize stability of the silage at feed out, whilst improving the digestibility of the fibre fraction.

RESULTS:

The Optimize treated compared to the no additive control, was assessed for aerobic stability and the results summarized in the table below.

Source: Kingshay

Trial Summary

• In the trial the use of Optimize silage additive provided improvements in silage quality, particularly fermentation characteristics, when compared to the no additive control.
• Using Optimize resulted in more aerobically stable silage.

Source: Dr. Martin Yeates, Kingshay, Glastonbury, Somerset

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In recent years a better understanding of the effects of mycotoxins on ruminants has led to more attention being paid to the stability aspects of silage preservation.