BONSILAGE FIT G EXTRA for grass silages with very high sugar content
© SCHAUMANN
A refractometer can help to measure the sugar content of fresh grass. If its Brix value is over 7, new Bonsilage FIT G EXTRA is the best silage additive.
Grass growth from monocultures, such as perennial ryegrass for example, have a high sugar content. But the weather conditions, with cold nights and sunny days, also cause lots of sugar to form in the grass. The resulting high residual sugar content increases the risk of silage reheating, as well as the risk of animals developing rumen acidosis and metabolic problems.
The buffer capacity is low in crops with a high initial sugar content and a relatively low protein content. This causes the pH-value to drop rapidly, resulting in an unfavourable fermentation acid pattern with too much lactic acid and residual sugar. This, coupled with the increased risk of reheating, can get in the way of a healthy dairy cattle feeding.
Safety for sugar-rich silages with Lactobacillus parafarraginis
To tackle this problem, ISF Schaumann Research developed the BONSILAGE FIT G EXTRA silage additive. The “Extra” stands for the newly selected heterofermentative lactic bacteria strain Lactobacillus parafarraginis. This lactic bacteria is optimally adapted to conditions with a high initial sugar content and a low buffer capacity in the fermentation substrate. When compared to conventional silage additives, the unique combination of the tried and tested L. rhamnosus and L. buchneri strains ideally supports the fermentation acid pattern and ensures the required stability.
During the ensiling process, silage with high sugar content treated with BONSILAGE FIT G EXTRA develops higher pH-values, a lower lactic acid content, as well as higher levels of acetic acid and propylene glycol, making it suitable for ruminants. This is also reflected in the excellent aerobic stability of the silages (see Fig. 1).
The special silage additive for sugar-rich grass
BONSILAGE FIT G EXTRA has been specially developed for the ensiling of grass crops between 25-50 % DM with more than 20 % initial sugar in the DM. In order to use BONSILAGE FIT G EXTRA as precisely as possible, we recommend that you determine the sugar content of the crop by means of a fresh grass sample analysis or with the help of a refractometer. As a general rule, when the crude ash content is under 10 % in the DM, it should be kept as low as possible. If the desired DM range is> 25% and a Brix value of > 7 is measured with a refractometer, the use of BONSILAGE FIT G EXTRA is recommended (see Fig. 2).
At a glance
- Use of high initial sugar content to create a healthy fermentation acid pattern by:
- Reducing rumen-critical lactic acid to an optimal level for better rumen health
- Increasing the amount of physiologically valuable acetic acid for:
- Greater silage stability when opening;
- Positive effects on the feed intake
- Formation of the energy source propylene glycol through L. parrafaraginis, thus improving the energy supply for the cattle
