GB2087208A

GB2087208A - Silage additive composition

Info

Publication number: GB2087208A
Application number: GB8015455A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WILSON HOLDINGS KENNETH Ltd
Current assignee: WILSON HOLDINGS KENNETH Ltd
Priority date: 1980-05-09
Filing date: 1980-05-09
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: GB2087208B

Abstract

A silage additive composition for the encouraging of desirable fermentation of ensiled vegetable material comprises molasses, a viscosity reducing material, and a biological stabiliser. The viscosity is lowered, to ease handling, by a viscosity reducing material such as water. The biological stabiliser, which may be, for instance, an acid or an antimicrobial agent, then inhibits the undesirable fermentation of the diluted molasses. The silage additive may be applied to the material to be ensiled by any suitable method, such as spraying or dripping. A method of forming silage utilising such an additive is also described.

Description

SPECIFICATION Ensilage This invention relates to ensilage and more particu marly to methods of forming silage and to compositions which aid the formation of silage.

Traditionally, many moist materials of vegetable origin are stored during the summer for the purpose of feeding ruminant livestock during the winter.

These materials include brewers' and distillers' wet grains, beet pulp, tops from root crops, waste from the vegetable processing industry and, by far the largest classification, forage crops, predominantly grass.

The process of ensilage consists of storing the wet crop under anaerobic conditions, in which situtation certain naturally occurring micro-organisms ferment the soluble carbohydrate in the crop. Products of this fermentation include various organic acids. When the concentration of acid builds up to a point at which the pH is reduced to a level of, or below, about pH 4.2 further microbial activity is inhibited and the herbage which is in effect "pickled" will remain preserved in a stable form for prolonged periods (several years in some instances).

If for some reason, a predominantly lactic acid fermentation does not continue to the point at which the ph is sufficiently low, undesirable forms of fermentation may take over in the material. The result is a product of much reduced nutritive value.

The major reasons for failure to effect the desirable forms of fermentation are failure to create anaerobic conditions, inadequate levels of sugars in the crop or an excessive level of moisture. In the latter case increased levels of acid are required because of the dilution effect of the moisture and because some of the acid produced is removed from the mass in the inevitable effluent which is produced.

To ensure that a suitable form of fermentation takes place and a desirable product is made from "difficult" crops, additives have been used. These fall into three main categories:1. Those which supply a suitable substrate (sugar) for fermentation by the naturally occurring organisms or added cultures of specific organisms.

2. Those which supply acid directly, thus alleviating the need for them to be produced as a by-product of microbial fermentation.

3. Those which supply an antimicrobial agent which effectively sterilizes the crop and inhibits microbial activity.

Molasses can be used as a suitable source of sugar. However, molasses, in its normally available and stable form, is very viscous. This presents considerable problems in relation to its application.

Dilution with water renders sugar solutions, like molasses, biologically usntable (liable to ferment).

Acids and antimicrobial substances on the other hand do lend themselves to acceptable methods of application but are often fiercely criticised because of their unpleasantness and danger in handling.

According to the present invention there is provided a silage additive composition comprising a concentrated solution of soluble sugar, such is commercially available molasses, a viscosity reducing material and a stabiliser.

Preferably the viscosity reducing material is water.

The stabiliser may be, for instance, an acid or an anti-microbial agent.

Preferably the composition includes soluble sugars present in a composition in an amount of from 35% to 50% by weight of the composition.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition which is of sufficiently low viscosity to be easily handleable. Furthermore, the composition includes a stabiliser so that it is not liable to ferment.

Such a composition can be added to material to be ensiled and it is not necessary separately to add acids and/or anti-microbial substances which in themselves are unpleasant and/or dangerous to handle.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of forming silage comprising adding to material to be ensiled a silage additive of the invention.

In addition the present invention provides silage formed in accordance with the method of the invention.

A preferred method in accordance with the present invention involves the addition to the material to beensiled of from 2% to 15% by weight of the additive, based on the dry weight of the material to be ensiled.

The resultant ensiled material may be fed to any kind of animal, including birds. Preferably it is fed to ruminant species.

A silage additive composition in accordance with the present invention may be applied to the material to be ensiled by any suitable method, for instance, by spraying or by allowing the additive to be dripped onto the material at some suitable stage during its collection and storage, preferably at a point when it is handled in a continuous stream or flow so that it becomes uniformly mixed with the material.

The amount of stabiliser, whether acid, antimicrobial agent or other form of stabiliser, should be sufficient to prevent fermentation of the diluted molasses. Preferably the amount of stabiliser is the minimum amount necessary to preventfermentation.

1. A silage additive composition comprising molasses, a viscosity reducing material and a stabiliser.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the viscosity reducing material is water.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the stabiliser is an acid.

4. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the stabiliser is an anti-microbial agent.

5. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the soluble sugars present in the composition amount to from 35% to 50% by weight of the composition.

6. A composition according to claim 1 and substantially as described herein.

7. A method of forming silage comprising

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ensilage This invention relates to ensilage and more particu marly to methods of forming silage and to compositions which aid the formation of silage. Traditionally, many moist materials of vegetable origin are stored during the summer for the purpose of feeding ruminant livestock during the winter. These materials include brewers' and distillers' wet grains, beet pulp, tops from root crops, waste from the vegetable processing industry and, by far the largest classification, forage crops, predominantly grass. The process of ensilage consists of storing the wet crop under anaerobic conditions, in which situtation certain naturally occurring micro-organisms ferment the soluble carbohydrate in the crop. Products of this fermentation include various organic acids. When the concentration of acid builds up to a point at which the pH is reduced to a level of, or below, about pH 4.2 further microbial activity is inhibited and the herbage which is in effect "pickled" will remain preserved in a stable form for prolonged periods (several years in some instances). If for some reason, a predominantly lactic acid fermentation does not continue to the point at which the ph is sufficiently low, undesirable forms of fermentation may take over in the material. The result is a product of much reduced nutritive value. The major reasons for failure to effect the desirable forms of fermentation are failure to create anaerobic conditions, inadequate levels of sugars in the crop or an excessive level of moisture. In the latter case increased levels of acid are required because of the dilution effect of the moisture and because some of the acid produced is removed from the mass in the inevitable effluent which is produced. To ensure that a suitable form of fermentation takes place and a desirable product is made from "difficult" crops, additives have been used. These fall into three main categories:1. Those which supply a suitable substrate (sugar) for fermentation by the naturally occurring organisms or added cultures of specific organisms. 2. Those which supply acid directly, thus alleviating the need for them to be produced as a by-product of microbial fermentation. 3. Those which supply an antimicrobial agent which effectively sterilizes the crop and inhibits microbial activity. Molasses can be used as a suitable source of sugar. However, molasses, in its normally available and stable form, is very viscous. This presents considerable problems in relation to its application. Dilution with water renders sugar solutions, like molasses, biologically usntable (liable to ferment). Acids and antimicrobial substances on the other hand do lend themselves to acceptable methods of application but are often fiercely criticised because of their unpleasantness and danger in handling. According to the present invention there is provided a silage additive composition comprising a concentrated solution of soluble sugar, such is commercially available molasses, a viscosity reducing material and a stabiliser. Preferably the viscosity reducing material is water. The stabiliser may be, for instance, an acid or an anti-microbial agent. Preferably the composition includes soluble sugars present in a composition in an amount of from 35% to 50% by weight of the composition. Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition which is of sufficiently low viscosity to be easily handleable. Furthermore, the composition includes a stabiliser so that it is not liable to ferment. Such a composition can be added to material to be ensiled and it is not necessary separately to add acids and/or anti-microbial substances which in themselves are unpleasant and/or dangerous to handle. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of forming silage comprising adding to material to be ensiled a silage additive of the invention. In addition the present invention provides silage formed in accordance with the method of the invention. A preferred method in accordance with the present invention involves the addition to the material to beensiled of from 2% to 15% by weight of the additive, based on the dry weight of the material to be ensiled. The resultant ensiled material may be fed to any kind of animal, including birds. Preferably it is fed to ruminant species. A silage additive composition in accordance with the present invention may be applied to the material to be ensiled by any suitable method, for instance, by spraying or by allowing the additive to be dripped onto the material at some suitable stage during its collection and storage, preferably at a point when it is handled in a continuous stream or flow so that it becomes uniformly mixed with the material. The amount of stabiliser, whether acid, antimicrobial agent or other form of stabiliser, should be sufficient to prevent fermentation of the diluted molasses. Preferably the amount of stabiliser is the minimum amount necessary to preventfermentation. CLAIMS

6. A composition according to claim 1 and substantially as described herein.

7. A method of forming silage comprising adding to material to be ensiled a silage additive as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the amount of additive added to the material to be ensiled is from 2 to 15% by weight, based on the dry weight of the material to be ensiled.

9. Silageformed by a method according to claim 7 or claim 8.