Effects of Silage Additives on Fermentation Characteristics of Corn Silage and Performance of Feedlot Heifers,

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Abstract
Effects of silage additives on corn silage fermentation were examined. In Experiment 1, whole plant corn was ensiled for 3 weeks in laboratory silos. A bacterial inoculum (SC) s was used at 0, 10, and 50 ppm. There was no difference in dry matter content, carbon dioxide output, pH, titratable acidity, acetate, and propionate content of the silages. The inoculated silages had lower lactic acid content. Neither ash nor nitrogen fraction was affected by treatment. Experiment 2 compared two moistures (38 versus 68% dry matter) and four additive treatments: control, bacterial inoculum (SC, 50 ppm), a microbial enzyme and nutrient additive (SLF, 6 250 ppm), and an air-dried microbial culture (SB, 7 500 ppm). Substrates were ensiled for 3 weeks. Moisture affected total weight and dry matter losses; compaction ratio; pH; titratable acidity; lactic acid; water soluble-nitrogen, percent total- nitrogen; and ammonia-nitrogen, percent