Retaining more nutrients from field to cow

Providing cattle with the correct nutrients from silage can be a difficult task. Silage is the most important feed stuff during the winter therefore making certain the best inoculant is utilised is vital. Optimize has been developed to effectively stabilise silage so it’s in prime condition for use as a healthy feed all year round.

Recent trials carried out at Kingshay Farming Trust showed Optimize to be the most effective inoculant for stability which is ultimately the most important aspect of good silage. To view these results in the Good Grass Silage Guide 2007 click here.

A further Optimize Case Study can be viewed HERE.

Advantages of using Optimize on your Silage

·  Ensures rapid stability of forage
·  Inhibits growth of spoilage organisms
·  Reduces nutrient losses and dry matter losses in silage
·  Increases protein concentration in crop available for cow
·  Reduces heating problems in silage

Formula of Bacillus and enzymes in Optimize

Optimize achieves its specific functions via the activity of a unique blend of Bacillus and enzymes summarised below:
Constituents:

• Bacillus Subtilis
• Bacillus Pumilus
• Fibrolytic Enzymes
• Microbial Stimulant

Action:

• Reduced Dry Matter Losses
• Higher Dry Matter Intakes
• Increased Animal Production
• Improved Stability in Clamp and Trough

From the field to the clamp

Following chopping the grass just before the heading day, Optimize is added at low volume application or a traditional rate of 2lts per tonne freshcrop (for information on silage preparation click here). This inoculated forage is then added to the clamp where Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus act to reduce a number of spoilage organisms, some of which produce mycotoxins, and increase the digestibility of the silage. To learn more about the specific actions of these Bacilli click here. Microbial stimulants are contained within the formulation of Optimize to activate these Bacillus strains since they are supplied in a freeze dried form.

In addition to these Bacillus strains, fibrolytic enzymes are present which degrade complex carbohydrates in plant fibre and tissues. These carbohydrates tend to be the fibre fractions that are relatively indigestible by dairy cows and therefore their action results in improved digestibility of forage fibre.

Unlike more traditional silage inoculants, Optimize contains no Lactobacillus strains in its formulation as this can drive the silage acidity to a pH which inhibits intake by the cow due to high lactic acid levels. The presence of naturally occurring Lactobacillus in the ensiled crop is sufficient to lower the pH from pH 7 to pH 4 at which point the silage is highly stabilised and the Bacillus strains sporulate and in doing so become dormant.

From the clamp to the cow

When Optimize treated silage is fed to the cow it contains low levels of lactic acid, spoilage organisms and waste whilst having high plant sugar and effective protein levels thus resulting in higher intakes.    

When the silage reaches the rumen, which has a pH of 6.4, the dormant Bacillus spores become activated and produce digestive enzymes which further aid the breakdown of the cows diet. Due to this overall increase in nutrient availability, this leads to increased absorbance in the intestine which subsequently results in better milk production, calf production, fertility and resistance to disease.

Optimize can be used on all forage types

Due to the microbial content of Optimize, it can be applied to grass, wholecrops and maize either at a low volume or a high volume of 2lts/tonne. Furthermore, this silage additive works on the wettest or the driest of crops.

Darren Callen won the All-Wales silage competition in 2006 following use of Optimize on his crops and still produces high quality silage to the present day due to its application.