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Boost silage quality and milk from forage with the right inoculant
Silage forms a key part of livestock nutrition, and with fluctuating milk prices and unpredictable weather, it’s more important than ever to maximise the value of home-grown forage.
Producing high-quality silage is really important, and investing in the right inoculant can improve both productivity and profitability.
For UK and Ireland dairy and beef farmers, choosing a crop- and condition-specific inoculant can enhance silage stability, boost milk from forage, and increase overall resilience on farm.
Recent trials have shown how the right inoculant can make a real difference.
Why are inoculants necessary for silage quality?
Ensuring the quality of silage is more than just about preserving nutrients; it’s about improving overall feed efficiency.
Inoculants play a key role in optimising the fermentation process during ensiling. With the right inoculant, you can reduce spoilage, preserve nutrients, and ultimately improve dry matter intake and milk production.
Lallemand Animal Nutrition has recently conducted trials at the Forage Centre of Excellence located at the William H Miner Institute in Chazy, New York State.
These trials have demonstrated how the right inoculant can make a significant impact. For UK and Irish farmers, this research highlights the benefits of using a crop- and condition- specific inoculant on grass silage.
Trial Insights: how inoculants improve silage and milk yields
In 2025, a trial was conducted at the Forage Centre of Excellence located at the William H Miner Institute in Chazy, New York State, using 50 Holstein cows. The aim was to assess how silage treated with an inoculant influenced milk production.
The results were clear: cows fed silage treated with a crop- and condition-specific inoculant produced higher milk yields compared to those fed untreated silage.
The cows receiving the treated silage showed an average increase in milk yield of 2kg per cow per day. Additionally, dry matter intake increased by 0.9kg/day, highlighting that higher-quality silage leads to better feed intake and more milk in the tank.
The science behind the inoculant
The inoculant used in the trial, Magniva Platinum Grass Dry, contains three specific strains of bacteria: L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785, L. buchneri NCIMB 40788, and P. pentosaceus NCIMB 12455.
These strains help stabilise the silage and inhibit the growth of spoilage organisms like yeasts and moulds. This means less spoilage, more usable silage, and better results for farmers.
Key benefits of inoculant-treated silage for UK farmers:
- Enhanced aerobic stability:
The treated silage showed improved aerobic stability, reducing spoilage and nutrient loss. For example, untreated silage was over the threshold for aerobic instability for 80 hours and 25 min, while the treated silage only spent 7 hours and 30 minutes above this level.
- Reduced yeast contamination:
Yeasts are one of the primary culprits of spoilage in silage. By reducing yeast levels by up to 95.5%, inoculant-treated silage stays fresher for longer, meaning better-quality feed for livestock.
- Increased milk yields and better feed intake:
The cows that were fed the treated silage produced an average of 49.5kg of milk per day, 2kg more than those fed untreated silage.
- Improved milk quality:
Milk quality also improved, with cows that were fed the treated silage producing more butterfat and protein.
- Reduced methane emissions:
Cows fed the treated silage also had a lower methane production intensity per litre of milk, emitting 0.38g less methane per kg of energy-corrected milk. This is a crucial factor for UK farmers looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Maximise the potential of your silage
Choosing the right silage inoculant is important for UK and Irish farmers, offering tangible benefits like enhanced silage stability, reduced waste, and increased milk yields.
By partnering with Lallemand Animal Nutrition, farmers can unlock the full potential of their forage, driving both productivity and profitability.
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Contact usPublished Mar 4, 2026