Frequently Asked Questions About Silage Additives
Silage additives play a key role in improving the fermentation process, preserving nutrients, and enhancing the overall quality of silage. Whether you’re new to using additives or looking to optimise your current practices, this FAQ page provides clear answers to common questions about their benefits, types, application methods, and more.
What are the main benefits of using a silage additive?
Silage additives help preserve more nutrients, promote efficient fermentation, enhance aerobic stability, and support improved animal performance from forage.
How do silage additives improve silage quality?
They introduce beneficial bacteria that guide the fermentation process, resulting in better preservation and higher-quality silage compared to untreated forage.
Is the cost of a silage additive worth it?
Yes. Silage additives typically reduce dry matter losses by around 5%. They can also boost productivity, such as an extra litre of milk per cow per day, delivering a return on investment of approximately 5:1.
Are silage additives only necessary in poor weather conditions?
No. While especially helpful in wet or unpredictable weather, silage additives consistently improve silage quality regardless of the weather during harvest.
Do I need a silage additive when conditions are dry and sunny?
Yes. While good weather aids crop growth, it does not influence the fermentation process. A silage additive ensures consistent fermentation, nutrient retention, and overall forage quality.
Is a silage additive necessary for grass with over 30% dry matter?
Absolutely. A high dry matter content alone does not guarantee good fermentation. Only a proven blend of beneficial bacteria can properly stabilise the silage and prevent spoilage.
Can I save money by not using a silage additive?
Skipping an additive may seem like a saving, but high-quality silage reduces the need for expensive feed supplements and improves animal output. On average, additives return about £6.00 per tonne of forage in value.
Why is a silage additive important for maize silage?
Maize silage is highly prone to aerobic spoilage due to its sugar content. A suitable additive helps prevent losses caused by yeasts and moulds, ensuring better feed quality.
Is it necessary to use a silage additive for youngstock feed?
Yes. Young animals are particularly vulnerable to poor-quality feed. Spoiled silage can hinder growth and increase the risk of exposure to harmful mycotoxins.
Should I apply a silage additive to big bale silage?
Yes. Big bale silage is especially prone to air exposure and spoilage. Using an additive helps maintain nutritional quality and reduces the risk of harmful mycotoxins.
Why does my silage heat up when opened?
Heating usually results from air ingress, poor compaction, or an ineffective additive. The right silage additive limits spoilage organisms and helps prevent heating and nutrient losses.
What causes excessive effluent from silage?
Too much effluent is often linked to overly wet forage or poor fermentation. Some enzyme-based additives may increase fibre breakdown, worsening the issue. The right formulation can help reduce effluent production.
Are acid-based preservatives the best option for silage?
Acids can be effective when silage is contaminated with soil or slurry, but they do not enhance animal performance like biological inoculants. For routine use, a proven biological solution is usually better.
Is a chemical preservative more effective than a biological inoculant?
Chemical preservatives may be useful in extreme conditions, but under normal circumstances, a high-quality biological inoculant offers better fermentation control and nutrient preservation.
Are all biological silage additives the same?
No. Each product is formulated with specific bacterial strains and must be authorised for use. Their effectiveness depends on the formulation and how well it suits your forage type and conditions.