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Types of Inoculants
There are a variety of inoculants that may be used on forage crops, depending on your needs and the potential benefits of each inoculant. Certain products offer specific benefits, such as aerobic stability of silage in high moisture corn. Some of these special inoculants and their benefits are listed below.
Silage inoculants are used for two primary reasons:
Fermentation Aids
- Used to stimulate or ensure a rapid fermentation
- Generally contain efficient (homofermentative) lactic-acid-producing bacteria (LAB)
- Mainly used on low dry matter forage crops that have low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates and high buffering capacity (e.g. low DM haylages)
Spoilage Inhibitors
- Used to reduce aerobic spoilage
- Include propionic acid, specific LAB, and propionic-acid-producing bacteria
- Designed for use on materials more prone to aerobic spoilage, such as drier haylages (> 35% DM), corn and cereal silages, high moisture corn and cereal grains, baleage, dry/baled hay.
More Types of Inoculants Links:
Forage Inoculants (PDF)
New Inoculant Protects Alfalfa Properties (PDF)
Things to consider when evaluating Inoculants