Forage inoculants

Spoilage is a challenge that all producers face at some point and the cost of not addressing it can be high.  For example, if corn silage is worth roughly $40 per ton, a 5,000-ton pile is worth $200,000.  Even a 1% loss on this pile means a loss of $2,000 worth of feed.  Typical losses from spoilage easily exceed this number.  Preventing spoilage means feed stays in the pile and money stays in your pocket. 

By Cody McCary, Vita Plus | It is an exciting time of year!  In northern states, fields are greening up and life seems to be coming back from what may feel like a frozen tundra at times. In southern states, warmer temperatures have returned and, in many areas, annual crops have been planted, providing hope for the year to come.

By Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus | A rapid decline in pH is crucial to achieving an optimal silage fermentation, preserving silage nutrients, and maximizing the feed’s value. Research-proven bacterial inoculants are valuable tools in driving this rapid pH decline amidst the variables that can affect the ensiling process.

By Michelle Der Bedrosian, Ph.D., Vita Plus | In the world of silage production, achieving optimal fermentation and a rapid pH decline are key to preserving forage quality and maximizing feed value. The pH of the silage is one of the most crucial factors in this process, affecting the overall nutritional quality of the feed.

By Mark Leggett, Ph.D., Volac International Ltd. | Bacteria are the driving force in the silage’s fermentation.  Silage inoculants are applied to speed up the fermentation and preserve silage dry matter.  Ensuring your silage is fermented by the best and most efficient bacterial strains starts in the laboratory.

Maximizing homegrown nutrients is a key strategy to manage costs in today’s volatile markets.  Vita Plus consultants are committed to providing service and technology to help you get the most from your forages.

By Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, Ph.D., Vita Plus | A key component of reducing purchased feed costs is maximizing the nutrients available from your forages. Quickly dropping the silage pH to preserve dry matter and preventing spoilage puts more homegrown nutrient in front of your cows. Crop-N-Rich Nexus silage inoculant helps you economically achieve that goal.

By Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, Ph.D., Vita Plus | The initial phase of making silage is the aerobic phase and it is characterized by the presence of oxygen.  The aerobic phase begins when the plant is cut in the field and continues until the silo is sealed (either the plastic is laid on top of the silo or the bag silo is sealed) and oxygen is consumed by the upfront fermentation. 

One strategy to control costs on your dairy is to retain of much of your homegrown forages - and the nutrients they contain - as possible.  Choosing the right inoculant and oxygen barrier plastic will help you limit dry matter (DM) loss and spoilage.  

By Renato Schmidt, Ph.D., Lallemand Animal Nutrition | Quality forage inoculants can be used to control the fermentation and quality of forages, as well as enhance the overall value at feedout. A newly available inoculant offers flexibility in feedout by allowing a silage to be fed as soon as 15 days post-ensiling.

Contact your consultant to book today! Vita Plus Crop-N-Rich inoculants are pure, effective bacterial inoculants that offer unmatched ease of use and are backed with immense research.

By Steve Murty, Vita Plus | Equipment repairs are the last thing you want to deal with when a crop is ready to harvest.  Supply chain issues we often face today add to the frustration.  This applies to inoculant applicators like any other equipment.  A little time invested now can save headaches next spring.

Dr. Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus – The value of silage has skyrocketed, which means the penalty of dry matter loss has also skyrocketed. In today’s markets, we cannot afford to skip inoculants.

By Dr. Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical service Laboratory analysis of yeast counts finds the majority of silages in the Midwest are undergoing active spoilage during the spring, summer and fall months.  However, when asked, most producers say they do not have a spoilage problem.  This hidden spoilage problem can be a major source of forage shrink and can also lead to decreased milk production, intakes, animal health, and farm profitability. 

One way to control costs on your dairy is to retain as much of your homegrown forages as possible.  Learn about our line of Crop-N-Rich forage inoculants and Silostop oxygen barrier plastic.

By Eugene Rodberg, Kemin product manager
When should we use an acid and when should we use a bacterial inoculant?  This question is not easy to answer because the answer changes from day to day.  To understand when to best use these products, we need to understand why we use these products.