Effect of Inoculation of Whole Plant Corn Forage with Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactobacillus xylosus on Preservation of Silage and Heifer Growth

Whole plant com silage was ensiled in plastic silo bags, with or without addition of a com silage inoculant containing Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactobacillus xy/osus. to evaluate effects on end-products of silage fermentation, apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. and performance of Holstein heifers. Dry matter recovery and soluble carbohydrate concentration were higher for inoculated silage than for control silage following 110 d of fermentation. Differences between control and inoculated com silage were not significant for total N, content of nitrogenous fractions and structural carbohydrates, major fermentation acids, or pH. Following exposure to air, pH of inoculated silage was lower than control silage, suggesting greater aerobic stability for the inoculated silage. Heifers fed control silage gained more body weight and used feed more efficiently during the first 42 d of the growth trial than did heifers fed inoculated silage. Body weight gains and DM intakes were greater for heifers fed inoculated silage than for heifers fed control silage during the second 42 d of the growth trial, and efficiency of feed utilization was not different between