A quality silage inoculant will improve silage quality by delivering a faster, more efficient fermentation.
Silage making relies on the conversion of plant sugars to acid. The acid decreases the pH and preserves the forage.
The first step in the silage making process is to create oxygen-free (anaerobic) conditions through compacting and sealing the forage. Anaerobic (oxygen hating) bacteria are present in small numbers on all plant material. Once oxygen-free conditions have been achieved, these bacteria begin to multiply and convert plant sugars to fermentation acids. As fermentation acid levels increase, the pH drops preserving the forage as silage. There is a variety of naturally occurring bacteria that can be present in silage.
They produce a range of fermentation acids. A lactic fermentation is the most desirable because minimal energy is lost during the fermentation process and lactic acid produces palatable, high feed value silage.
Just as cows differ in their ability to produce milk from grass, different bacterial strains vary in their ability to produce lactic acid. The most desirable strains are those that can convert sugar to lactic acid with minimal energy and drymatter loss. Pioneer® brand inoculants contain bacteria that have been specially selected to give a faster, more efficient fermentation. The bacterial strains in Pioneer® brand inoculants are unique and patented. They are supported by statistically significant data from trials conducted under controlled research conditions.
Pioneer® brand inoculants can:
Quality silage inoculants will contain:
Pioneer® brand inoculants are produced and packaged by a system that meets ISO9001:2000 quality standards to ensure you get the right numbers of the correct strains of live bacteria, in the right proportions in every bottle that is applied.
There are many silage additives on the Australian market. Ask yourself the following questions when choosing a silage inoculant or additive:
Development and production of Pioneer® brand inoculants
Silage samples are collected from around the world and brought to a central laboratory where they are graded by Pioneer Hibred International Inc for quality. A small amount of material from each sample is cultured on a petri dish. Since bacterial colonies differ in size, colour and other aspects of form and structure, researchers use magnifying lenses and an electronic probe to count the number and type of colonies produced. The dominant strains are identified, as Pioneer scientists have found that they are the strains that are most likely to have a positive effect on the fermentation process.
The bacterial strains that have the potential to improve silage quality undergo nearly 50 separate tests. These tell researchers how efficiently the bacteria convert plant sugars into acid, whether the bacteria will thrive at different moisture levels, at varying temperatures and at different oxygen concentrations. Research also indicates whether the strains have any negative characteristics like the consumption of protein that should be retained for livestock production.
These test results are then analysed to determine the most beneficial strains. These strains are then further evaluated for several factors including compatibility with other beneficial strains, genetic stability, rapid growth in the highly competitive environment of ensiled forage and the ability to be produced and processed, dried, stored and blended within the exclusive Pioneer production system.
The strains are then field evaluated. Forage inoculated with the test strains is packed into small silos using a hydraulic press. The fermentation process is monitored for acid production, rate of pH reduction, final pH level, aerobic stability (resistance to heating and moulding) and influence on drymatter recovery. Strains that show a beneficial effect on forage quality are then formulated into an inoculant.
Finally, inoculated silage (utilising inoculants currently available in the Australian market) has been compared to an untreated control in animal feeding. Animal performance including growth rate and feed conversion efficiency has been measured. Independent research organisations also test and verify these results, where they trial and prove the internal Pioneer results. Once this has all been completed, the new inoculant is ready to be produced for commercial sale.
Pioneer offers a comprehensive range of crop specific inoculant products as well as Pioneer® brand 1174 which is a multi-purpose inoculant suitable for use on all types of silage.
Pioneer® brand 1127 and 1174 give a faster, more efficient fermentation reducing drymatter and quality losses during storage.
Pioneer® brand 11C33 and 11CFT are revolutionary crop-specific products that help improve silage quality and drymatter recovery. These products contain a patented strain of Lactobacillus buchneri which reduces silage heating and spoilage at feed-out time.
Pioneer and independent research results show that when used on maize silage 1174 improves drymatter recovery.
Studies with dairy cows have shown that improved silage quality and increased drymatter recovery resulting from the use of 1174, increases milk production and milk return per tonne of maize ensiled when compared with an untreated control. Studies with beef animals have shown that improved silage quality and increased drymatter recovery resulting from the use of 1174, increase beef liveweight gain per wet tonne of maize silage ensiled, compared with untreated maize silage.
Independent research results show that when used on pasture silage 1127 improves drymatter recovery by more than 2.9%*, equivalent to an extra hectare of pasture for every 35 hectares of pasture harvested. Improved silage quality results from more efficient fermentation and an average 33% reduction in ammonia nitrogen breakdown*. This means a higher proportion of protein in the silage stays in a form that the animal can use more efficiently.
All Pioneer brand inoculants are available in two pack sizes:
Store all Pioneer® brand inoculants in a cool dry place.
1127 and 1174 are stable at room temperature (less than 24°C) for three years from production. 11C33 and 11CFT are stable for two years from production.
The table below shows the stability of mixed Pioneer® brand inoculants (i.e when water has been added to the bottle)
| All products except -> | 11C33, 11CFT | |
| Not refrigerated | 3 days | 2 days |
| In refrigerator at night | 7 days | 5 days |
| Frozen | 1 year | |
Defrost at room temperature or in tepid water. DO NOT DEFROST IN THE MICROWAVE.
Appli-Pro®
Appli-Pro® is a revolutionary advanced inoculant application system designed and calibrated especially for Pioneer® brand inoculants. Appli-Pro® is an accurate application system that uses less water than conventional spray systems. Pioneer® brand inoculants for the Appli-Pro® system are available in bottles that treat either 50 or 250 wet tonnes of forage. For more information on the Appli-Pro® silage inoculant application system contact Pioneer
Water soluble
All Appli-Pro® inoculants are suitable for use in standard tank systems. Once mixed with tank water, Pioneer® brand inoculants should be used within 72 hours.
There are a number of alternative methods by which you can apply inoculant to your forage.
Forage harvester
Pioneer® brand inoculants can be applied to the forage via the forage harvester. If you are using a contractor, ask them to apply Pioneer® brand inoculant as they harvest your crop.
At the stack
Pioneer® brand inoculants can be applied at the stack using any farm spray unit provided that the pressure in the unit does not exceed 210 kPa (30 p.s.i.). If you are using a sprayer that has previously held any chemical, wash the whole unit (tank, hoses and nozzles) thoroughly with a detergent solution and then rinse at least three times with clean water.
If you are dealing with small quantities of silage, Pioneer® brand inoculants can be successfully applied over each load using a watering can.
For more information call Pioneer Seeds
IN0623-01A
With dedicated and highly skilled team members located throughout Australia you can be sure of accessing the best local knowledge to help you maximise your investment in Pioneer® brand hybrid seed. Get in touch with your local Territory Sales Manager or Farm Services Consultant today.