Bacillus Subtilis and Bacillus Pumilus

Bacillus subtilis acts to convert small amounts of sugar fractions into enzymes and antimicrobial agents. These enzymes improve the digestibility of the silage while the antimicrobial agents inhibit the growth of silage spoilage bacteria such as Clostridium and Listeria species.

Bacillus pumilus acts during this stage in a similar way to Bacillus subtilis but produces antimicrobial agents that are much more effective against yeasts and moulds that are already present or subsequently grow in silage clamps. This reduction in yeast and mould populations results in silage with improved aerobic activity characteristics in the open silo and extended bunk life of the silage and total mixed rations (TMR) fed to cattle.