Why do we ferment forage? | Bailey’s Bit About Nutrition

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Cows eating

Fermenting forages is very beneficial to cattle nutrition and production. When forage is fermented it causes a breakdown of forage material, making it easier for animals to digest. Since the fermented forage is easier to digest, the bodies can digest forage quicker and releases more energy for the animal. The cattle can utilize the feed more efficiently and this will result in less waste in the undigested material that they excrete.

Breaking it down to the molecular level, microbes multiply and break down the forage through the fermentation process. When the microbes break down the forage, they produce volatile fatty acids that act as a natural preservative. When the cattle consume this forage, they also consume probiotic microbes that boost the beneficial population in the animal’s gut. Fermented forage has great nutritional value and leads to a stronger and healthier cow. Midwestern BioAg offers a silage inoculant that aids in fermenting feeds.

Fermentation “Plus”™ Silage Inoculant contains live and naturally-occurring microorganisms to ferment most plant materials. It can help you produce superior silage with low pH and high lactic acid. Fermentation “Plus” also helps prevent silage spoilage by inhibiting the growth of harmful organisms. This product is available in both dry-granular and water-soluble forms. There is a guaranteed analysis of a lactic acid bacteria count of 100 billion (1×1011) CFU per pound for dry-granular and 90.8 billion CFUs per gram for water-soluble forms.

Benefits Include:

  • Reduced heat damage.
  • Reduced harvest loss
  • Improves feed palatability

Increases feed digestibility and value

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