Optisile Maize

Developed and manufactured at EnviroSystems UK in Lancashire, Optisile Maize silage inoculant is organically registered and designed specifically for the STAYCOOL preservation of maize silage, providing:

• High palatability
• Improved sugar retention
• Cool, stable clamp face
• No waste
• Inhibition of Clostridia, yeasts and mycotoxins
• Rapid fermentation
• Helps towards rumen management for maximum feed efficiency
• Ultimately improves milk yield, helping you make more money

OptiSile Maize employs a three-strain combination of Lactobacilli. One is the widely used L Plantarum, a homofermentative bacteria to support a rapid lactic acid fermentation. The combination of the two other heterofermentative bacteria work together to inhibit moulds, yeasts and Clostridia.

The combination of strains create fast, stable preservation whilst maximising palatability and nutrient availability. The formula has proven effective on many farms, over a wide range of dry matters in the UK and abroad.

Yeasts, moulds and other spoilage organisms (Clostridia and Listeria) cause silage to heat up at the open clamp face and feed trough, commonly called secondary fermentation. This is inhibited by the STAYCOOL effect which protects the face of the clamp and continues working at feed-out.

Independent research published in the respected peer-reviewed journal, Applied Environmental Microbiology, identifies that a rapid lactic fermentation when you fill the clamp is not enough on its own to prevent secondary fermentation. [ref1]

Triple-action

EnviroSystems microbiologist Henry Russell explains: “The unique combination of bacterial strains in OptiSile additives inhibits spoilage organisms throughout storage and also keeps the clamp face and silage in the trough stable and cool. If silage heats this mean feed value and money are being lost into thin air.”

So this ‘Triple-Action STAYCOOL effect’ has a big part to play in exploiting the full feed value of silage with minimal waste.

The research report [ref1] also states that using inoculants producing only lactic acid “leads to silages which have low stability against aerobic deterioration”

REF 1 H Danner et al, 2003. Acid Increases Stability of Silage under Aerobic Conditions. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2003 Jan; 69(1): 562-567.

The OptiSile Range

All the issues which apply to preserving Maize also apply to Grass, Wholecrop and other ensiled crops. Therefore, the action of OptiSile is just as relevant on any crop which can be clamped and fermented. As well as OptiSile Maize, our range includes OptiSile Extra and OptiSile Wholecrop.