Whole-plant corn silages treated with either
Pioneer 1174® or Biotal® inoculants were
preserved more efficiently than control silages.
They had slightly higher dry matter (DM)
recoveries; more lactic acid; higher lactic to
acetic acid ratios; and less acetic acid, ethanol,
and ammonia-nitrogen. Laboratory silo results
showed that both inoculated silages produced
lactic acid faster than control silages during the
first 7 days and had more desirable fermentation
profiles at the end of 90 days. Applying 5
or 10 times the recommended rate of Biotal
inoculant had only a small and nonsignificant
effect on rate and efficiency of fermentation.
Yearling steers fed the two inoculated corn
silages gained numerically but not significantly
faster and more efficiently than steers fed
control silages, so inoculated silages produced
about 6.1 lb more steer gain per ton of crop
ensiled than controls.
