Lactic acid bacteria from Chr. Hansen improve silage

Chr. Hansen launches new, innovative product that can improve silage in the farming industry.

After having worked with lactic acid bacteria as a starter culture for silage since the mid 1970’s, Chr. Hansen, a global ingredients company, is now launching a newly developed product, Biomax® GP. Biomax® GP contains naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria that enhance the nutritive value of fermented crops, silage through fast and effective fermentation.

Grass and lucerne

Biomax GP has been specially developed for use in the ensiling of grass and lucerne. The product consists of two carefully tested and selected bacterial strains, Pediococcus Pentosaceus and Lactobacillus Pentosus. These strains are noted for having a particularly strong ability to utilize certain types of sugar; this is important because grass and lucerne are relatively low in sugar. A quick and efficient conversion of existing sugar types into lactic acid is of critical importance for the successful preservation of green material.

Two unique strains

Chr. Hansen has applied its more than 130 years of experience in the area to select these two strains, each boasting different properties that facilitate successful silage. Pediococcus Pentosaceus is an accelerating strain that quickly begins the fermentation process. Lactobacillus Pentosus is an acid-producing strain that later takes over and completes the fermentation process. This results in a rapid drop in pH which inhibits the activity of destructive microorganisms, and ensures better silage fermentation which again improves the taste and increases the levels of nutrients. This ensures a better milk production and gives a good return on investment.

Increased appetite

Repeated tests have shown that when Biomax® GP is added to silage, the silage has a significantly sweeter, more aromatic and appealing smell than untreated silage. In addition to the testing, our dairy farmer clients also report the same results - their cows eat more of the treated silage. In fact, trials consistently show that absorption in cows and steers that have been fed this type of silage is higher than in those that are fed untreated silage. It is therefore safe to assume that if a milking cow eats more of a silage with high digestibility and a high energy content the cow will ingest more energy and thus produce more milk.

Greater milk production

In fact, various tests conducted at research institutes have consistently proved that a greater milk production can be achieved by feeding cows silage with Biomax® GP, rather than untreated silage. In a scientific trial with lucerne that had a dry material content of 54.8 % (60% of the feed), cows that were being fed Biomax®-infused silage yielded 2.2 kilos more milk per cow, per day. This milk contained 6.3% more protein and 4.7% more fat than milk from cows that were fed untreated silage.

Chr. Hansen is the leading producer of lactic acid bacteria and silage inoculants which help farmers preserve valuable nutrients of fermented feeds.