by Dr. Vesna Jenkins, Global Product Manager Silage Inoculants, EW Animal Care
Science-Driven Benefits for Your Dairy Farm
Ensiling is more than preservation – it’s the foundation of dairy productivity. In a comprehensive 92-day scientific feeding trial on whole plant maize forage (DM 35.5%) at the University of Health Sciences in Lithuania, BioStabil Mays, a silage inoculant containing a blend of homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum DSM 19457, L. brevis DSM 23231, and L. buchneri DSM 19455, formerly L. kefiri DSM 19455), demonstrated clear advantages over untreated silage in terms of fermentation quality, aerobic stability, and dairy cow performance.
1. Fermentation Quality Enhanced
BioStabil Mays shifted the fermentation profile to favor lactic and acetic acid production while suppressing undesirable by-products.
| Parameter | Control | BioStabil Mays |
| Lactic Acid (g/kg DM) | 45.8 | 63.3** |
| Acetic Acid (g/kg DM) | 19.5 | 21.1 |
| Butyric Acid (g/kg DM) | 0.09 | 0.02** |
| Alcohols (g/kg DM) | 9.52 | 5.26** |
| Ammonia g/kg of N | 54.6 | 39.6** |
| pH | 3.86 | 3.74** |
* and ** denotes significance at level 0.05 and 0.01.
2. Aerobic Stability and Hygiene Improved
Once the silo is opened, silage faces air and spoilage. BioStabil Mays significantly extended aerobic stability and reduced spoilage organisms:
| Parameter | Control | BioStabil Mays |
| Aerobic Stability (hours) | 90 | 198** |
| Yeast (log CFU/g) | 3.54 | 2.45** |
| Molds (log CFU/g) | 3.22 | 2.18** |
* and ** denotes significance at level 0.05 and 0.01.
3. More Energy, Better Feed Efficiency
By reducing spoilage and improving fermentation, BioStabil Mays conserved more energy and nutrients.
| Parameter | Control | BioStabil Mays |
| Dry Matter (g/kg) | 325 | 339** |
| Net energy for lactation (MJ/kg) | 6.60 | 6.82** |
| Dry Matter Loss (g/kg DM) | 87.4 | 51.4** |
* and ** denotes significance at level 0.05 and 0.01.
4. More ECM, Better Milk Quality and Efficiency
BioStabil Mays improved milk fat content, reduced somatic cell count, increased energy-corrected milk production, and enhanced feed efficiency compared to the control group.
| Parameter | Control | BioStabil Mays |
| Milk Fat (%) | 4.12 | 4.20* |
| Somatic Cell Count (×10³/mL) | 155 | 114** |
| ECM (kg/day) | 26.47 | 27.69 |
| Feed Efficiency (ECM/DMI) | 1.52 | 1.57** |
* and ** denotes significance at level 0.05 and 0.01.
BioStabil Mays is more than just a silage additive – it’s a tool for enhancing farm profitability
By improving silage quality, energy retention, aerobic stability, and animal performance, BioStabil Mays transforms every ton of maize silage into more milk with better quality and healthier cows.
