Effect of Foraform® on fermentation of alfalfa, corn, and forage sorghum silages

Abstract

Foraform® was evaluated in four trials using alfalfa, corn, and two forage sorghums harvested in 1987 and ensiled in PVC laboratory silos. There was a dramatic crop by Foraform interaction, with Foraform delaying and restricting the fermentations, as expected, in alfalfa and corn. In both forage sorghum hybrids, although the ensiling process was delayed about 24 hours by the Foraform treatment, end-product silages had lower pH values and equal or higher lactic acid levels than untreated silages. Foraform was effective at both 60 to 90 F temperatures in alfalfa, with treated silages having lower lactic and acetic acids, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen contents and higher lactic to acetic acid ratios than untreated alfalfa silages. Similar results occurred in corn, except Foraform-treated silage had a twofold higher ethanol content than control. Although overall silage fermentation in the forage sorghums was apparently not reduced by Foraform, treated silage did have higher lactic to acetic acid ratios and lower ethanol levels, which are both indications of improved preservation.