Frequently asked questions
Either water-soluble or the dry inoculant is applied at the time of harvest or when storing the crop. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in inoculant is there to speed up fermentation and preserve nutrients. By speeding up fermentation, you can control heating.
Here is a link to a longer version:
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/microbial-inoculants-for-silage/
Lactobacillus buchneri is a heterofermentative bacteria, meaning it covers the entire fermentation cycle and it will also make more than 1 product. Lactobacillus buchneri can result in:
Lactic acid+acetic acid+carbon dioxide.
This helps deter the yeasts and molds from growing and prevents bunker spoilage. Buchneri is mainly used on corn crops, but research shows that using it on forages and hay also decreases wilting times.
Products vary from the amount of inoculant needed per ton and the amount of water it's mixed with. Refer to the mixing directions on your label. You cannot harm or burn out the crop by over-applying.
Below are some general guidelines:
Forage: 0.7 grams per ton
All Crop: 0.5 grams per ton
All Crop LB: 0.7 grams per ton
Silage: 0.5 grams per ton
Silage LB: 0.7 grams per ton
Silage HDLB: 0.8 grams per ton
Dry Hay: 1.5 grams per ton for moisture 18-21%
High Moisture Corn: 1 gram per ton.


