Results at Kansas State University from
over 200 laboratory-scale trials and 28 farmscale
trials showed that bacterial inoculants
consistently improved preservation efficiency
and nutritive value of the ensiled material. In
contrast, anhydrous ammonia or urea adversely
affected dry matter recovery and production per
ton of crop ensiled. Economic analysis also
favored the use of bacterial inoculants over
nonprotein-nitrogen additives. Research conducted
using corn, sorghum, and alfalfa silages
showed that sealing the exposed surface dramatically
reduced top spoilage losses in
bunker, trench, or stack silos.
