Testing silage additives 2004

In 2004, we tested the efficacy of the silage additive EM to promote the main fermentation. The trials were carried out in small-scale silos with a mixture of lucerne and cocksfoot. Forage of the first and also of the second cut was ensiled at two different dry matter levels (about 20 and 30 % dry matter). The silos were opened after a storage time of about 100 days.As far as the production, respectively the non-production of butyric acid is concerned the additive EM proved to be efficient in forage of the 2nd cut. However all treated silages always has acetic acid amounting over 50 g per kg DM and also an unfavorable proportion of lactic and acetic acid. Therefore, the product EM was not authorized as a silage additive to promote the main fermentation.