Lactobacillus-based silage additive is an increasingly important topic for livestock business operators who need consistent, measurable feed quality across every production cycle. This discussion has emerged not merely from scientific curiosity, but from a genuine operational need. On a commercial scale, silage is not just preserved feed. It is an operational asset that directly influences livestock performance, feed supply chain stability, and the overall cost efficiency of the farming business.Silage failure often stems from uncontrolled biological processes. Variations in sugar content, oxygen exposure, and raw material moisture cause fermentation to produce inconsistent outcomes across batches. This is where controlled microorganisms play a strategic role. The decision to use additives in the fermentation process must be grounded in measurable operational needs, not simply in following industry trends.
contents
- 1 The Biology Behind Lactobacillus in Silage
- 2 Silopak SD-705: Product Specifications
- 3 SD-705 Performance Data
- 4 The Three Fermentation Stages and How SD-705 Acts at Each
- 5 How to Apply SD-705: Step-by-Step
- 6 The Strategic Role of SD-705 in Silage Risk Control
- 7 Implications for Operational Efficiency
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions about Lactobacillus-Based Silage Additives
The Biology Behind Lactobacillus in Silage
Before examining the management implications, it is worth understanding what Lactobacillus actually does inside a silage bale or silo. Lactobacillus is a genus of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that drives the fermentation process by converting plant sugars into lactic acid under anaerobic conditions. The most commonly applied strains in commercial silage inoculants are Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, and Pediococcus pentosaceus, often combined to address different phases of fermentation.
Homofermentative strains such as L. plantarum convert plant sugars rapidly and almost entirely into lactic acid, driving a fast pH drop. Heterofermentative strains such as L. buchneri produce a combination of lactic acid and acetic acid, which significantly improves aerobic stability when the silage is opened for feeding. The combination of both strain types in a single inoculant product addresses both the initial fermentation phase and the critical feed-out phase where aerobic spoilage losses are highest.
Understanding the complete silage fermentation process and its stages is essential context for any livestock operator making decisions about additive use.
“SD-705 was developed specifically to address the two biggest loss points in silage — the initial fermentation window and the aerobic exposure at feed-out. The three-strain combination works synergistically so that operators get rapid pH reduction in the early stage and strong mold suppression when the bale is opened. In our lab data, yeast count dropped by 37% and mold count by 50% compared to untreated silage. That kind of result translates directly into less wasted feed and more consistent animal performance.”
— Sue Su, Marketing Director of Silopak
Silopak SD-705: Product Specifications
SD-705 Silage Additive and Fermentation Agent
Silopak’s SD-705 Silage Fermentation Agent is a mixed feed additive microorganism specifically formulated for silage production. It combines three active Lactobacillus strains with a carrier to deliver consistent, high-viability inoculant performance across diverse crop types.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | SD-705 (Silage Fermentation Agent) |
| Product Type | Mixed feed additive microorganism |
| Active Ingredients | Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus, maltodextrin |
| Total Viable Count (at factory) | ≥1.1×10¹¹ CFU/g |
| Net Content | 250 gram per pack |
| Recommended Dosage | 2.5 to 5g per ton of whole corn silage |
| Coverage per Pack | 50 to 100 tons of silage per 250g pack |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| Storage Conditions | Sealed container, dry and ventilated, away from light; low temperature storage preferred |
| Form | Granulated powder; dissolve in water before application |
SD-705 Performance Data
The performance of SD-705 has been validated through laboratory testing. The following data reflects results from corn silage trials using this product.
| Performance Indicator | Without SD-705 | With SD-705 | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH after 30 days | ~5.4 (starting) | 3.7 | Rapid acidification to stable range |
| Yeast count | Baseline | Reduced by 37% | Lower aerobic spoilage risk at feed-out |
| Mold count | Baseline | Reduced by 50% | Significantly less surface and internal mold |
| Total dry matter loss | ~20% across all stages | Reduced by 8 to 15% | More usable feed per ton of crop harvested |
The Three Fermentation Stages and How SD-705 Acts at Each
Understanding where losses occur in silage fermentation helps explain why a three-strain inoculant like SD-705 is more effective than single-strain products.
| Stage | Environment | What Happens | SD-705 Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Early fermentation | Aerobic (residual oxygen present) | Aerobic bacteria consume sugars, producing CO₂, heat, and energy loss; sugar reduction and increased fiber ratio | L. plantarum and P. pentosaceus rapidly outcompete aerobic bacteria, shortening this stage significantly |
| Stage 2 — Mid fermentation | Anaerobic (oxygen excluded) | LAB produce lactic and organic acids; pH drops; some protein degradation occurs; starch digestibility increases | High viable count (≥1.1×10¹¹ CFU/g) ensures dominant LAB activity; pH drops to 3.7 within 30 days |
| Stage 3 — Feed-out (cellar opening) | Aerobic re-exposure | Up to 50% of total aerobic losses occur at this stage; yeast and mold reactivate with oxygen re-entry | L. buchneri produces acetic acid that suppresses yeast and mold re-growth; yeast -37%, mold -50% |
How to Apply SD-705: Step-by-Step
Correct application is essential to achieving the performance results described above. Follow these steps for consistent results.
- Dissolve the full 250g pack of SD-705 Silage Fermentation Agent in a 15-liter bucket of clean water. Stir thoroughly until no lumps remain.
- Transfer and dilute the solution into a 300-liter spray tank.
- Spray evenly onto the green forage material during the chopping or layering process. Each 300-liter tank of prepared solution is sufficient to treat 50 to 100 tons of silage, with spraying taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per tank.
- Seal the silo or trench progressively from inside to outside. Apply the first layer using transparent plastic sheeting, followed by a second layer of black-and-white film, and press firmly with tires or weights to exclude all remaining air.
For round bale silage, apply the inoculant solution during harvesting or just before wrapping, then wrap with a minimum of 4 to 6 layers of quality LLDPE silage film immediately after baling. Delays between baling and wrapping allow aerobic deterioration to begin before the inoculant can establish an anaerobic environment.
The Strategic Role of SD-705 in Silage Risk Control
From a business management perspective, SD-705 functions as a risk control instrument across three main risk categories: nutrient loss, physical feed degradation, and batch inconsistency.
Nutrient reduction during fermentation occurs through respiratory energy loss in the aerobic phase and excessive protein degradation from prolonged clostridial activity. Both outcomes reduce livestock performance and increase the cost per unit of production. SD-705’s rapid pH reduction directly shortens the aerobic phase and inhibits clostridial bacteria before they dominate the fermentation environment.
The use of a standardized inoculant product also creates a process reference point. Fermentation no longer depends entirely on the unpredictable indigenous microbial population of the raw material, which varies with crop species, cutting date, and weather. This allows farm management to develop consistent silage quality parameters, conduct meaningful batch comparisons, and identify deviations earlier.
Paired with correctly applied silage wrapping film to maintain the physical anaerobic barrier, SD-705 forms part of a complete quality control system for the fermentation environment. Knowing how to cut and prepare silage correctly before inoculant application is equally important in protecting the full investment.
Implications for Operational Efficiency
Silage stability achieved through SD-705 reduces the need for sudden ration adjustments caused by feed quality variability between batches. When silage composition is predictable, the nutrition team can formulate rations with greater confidence, minimizing the risk of formulation errors that affect livestock performance.
The dry matter loss reduction of 8 to 15% per ton represents a direct financial return. For a farm processing 1,000 tons of silage per season, this translates into 80 to 150 additional tons of usable feed that would otherwise be lost to spoilage. Against the cost of SD-705 at 2.5 to 5g per ton, the return on investment is clear and measurable.
Stable silage also reduces labor associated with reprocessing and replacing spoiled batches, and supports better labor planning across the feeding calendar. Some aromatic substances produced during LAB fermentation with SD-705 also improve silage palatability, which has a downstream positive effect on voluntary feed intake and livestock performance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lactobacillus-Based Silage Additives
Q: What makes SD-705 different from a single-strain Lactobacillus inoculant?
SD-705 combines three active strains: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, and Pediococcus pentosaceus. Each strain addresses a different phase and risk. L. plantarum and P. pentosaceus drive rapid acidification in the early and mid fermentation stages, while L. buchneri produces acetic acid that suppresses yeast and mold re-growth when the silo or bale is opened. A single-strain product can only optimize one of these phases. The compound strain approach of SD-705 has been shown in laboratory data to reduce yeast count by 37% and mold count by 50% compared to untreated controls, outcomes that a single-strain product is unlikely to replicate across both fermentation phases.
Q: What is the correct dosage for SD-705?
The recommended dosage is 2.5 to 5g of SD-705 per ton of whole corn silage. One 250g pack treats 50 to 100 tons of silage material. The product should be dissolved in water before application, not applied as dry powder. Dissolve the full pack in 15 liters of clean water, dilute into a 300-liter spray tank, and apply evenly over the forage material during the ensiling process. Use the product in one session after opening to prevent moisture absorption that could reduce viable bacteria count.
Q: How quickly does SD-705 lower silage pH?
In corn silage trials, SD-705 reduced pH from an initial 5.4 to 3.7 within 30 days of ensiling. This rapid acidification reflects the high viable bacteria count of ≥1.1×10¹¹ CFU/g, which gives the lactic acid bacteria population an immediate numerical advantage over spoilage organisms from the moment of application. A pH of 3.7 is within the stable range for corn silage (target: 3.8 to 4.2) and is sufficient to halt the growth of Clostridium and other harmful bacteria that cause protein degradation and dry matter loss.
Q: Is SD-705 suitable for silage crops other than corn?
SD-705 is formulated primarily for whole corn silage, as stated in its recommended dosage guidelines. However, the three-strain combination it contains is broadly effective across other high-sugar and mixed crops. For low-sugar crops such as legumes (lucerne, cowpea, clover), where water-soluble carbohydrate content may be insufficient to drive robust LAB activity alone, pairing the inoculant with a carbohydrate additive such as molasses is recommended to provide additional fermentation substrate. Always consult Silopak directly for application guidance on specific crop types outside standard corn silage.
Q: How should SD-705 be stored on farm?
Store SD-705 in a sealed container in a dry, ventilated area away from direct light. Low-temperature storage improves product longevity. The shelf life is 24 months from production date. Once a pack is opened, it is recommended to use the entire contents in a single application session to prevent moisture absorption from the air, which can reduce viable bacteria count and affect performance. Do not store opened, partially used packs.
Q: What signs indicate that silage fermentation has failed despite using an additive?
Signs of fermentation failure include a pH above 5.0 when checked after 21 to 30 days, a strong butyric or rancid smell at opening, visible mold on the surface or internal layers, excessive heating at the feed face, and reduced voluntary intake by livestock. These outcomes indicate that clostridial bacteria dominated rather than lactic acid bacteria. The most common causes are wrapping at too high a moisture content, insufficient film layers, delays between harvesting and sealing, or soil contamination of the raw material. No additive, including SD-705, can fully compensate for silage made under fundamentally incorrect conditions.
This article was last reviewed and updated by the Silopak Editorial Team on June 2, 2026. Our team periodically revisits published content to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current best practices in livestock feed management and silage preservation.
