Additive essential in dry maize crops to safeguard every tonne

28 August 2026

Dwindling forage stocks due to the drought, and high dry matter maize crops means using an additive on maize silage is essential this season to protect every tonne, believes Amanda Clements, Technical Business Manager for Volac.

There’s pressure to make the most of every tonne of maize considering grass silage stock are already low because of the drought,” she says. “Maize is also quite a costly crop to grow and there’s only one chance to get it right, so doing everything possible to maximise its value is a must.

Maize forms a crucial component to many diets but is prone to dry matter and energy losses - both during storage and at feed-out – due to the action of undesirable microorganisms that feed on it. It’s also naturally quite a dirty crop, harbouring yeasts and moulds in dying leaves and rotting tassels for example. 

The lack of rain also increases that risk as the crop hasn’t had a good wash and there could be even higher levels of bacteria and moulds. Left unchecked, they can interfere with preservation,” Ms Clements explains.

“It is also likely that crops will be drier because of the heat, which means they will be harder to consolidate in the clamp, raising the risk of heating and nutrient losses. You need fermentation to drive a rapid drop in pH and preserve crop nutrition, but the fermentation process needs moisture, which might be lacking.”

How to reduce losses

That’s where a heterofermentative additive, like Ecocool can help farmers take control of that process, she says. Ecocool has been found to reduce fermentation dry matter losses by as much as 27%, making it invaluable in safeguarding every tonne.

It provides a tailored dose of L. plantarum MTD/1 which produces lactic acid to drive efficient fermentation and a rapid drop in pH to help stop the proliferation of undesirable bacteria. A second beneficial bacterial strain, L. buchneri PJB/1 also produces acetic acid to help knock most yeasts and moulds on the head or make it a difficult environment for them to thrive, helping to prevent heating at feed-out. 

General management both in the field and in the clamp can also help minimise the number of undesirable microorganisms that get in the clamp and inhibit the growth of any that do. This includes leaving 15cm of stubble and focusing on consolidation. 

Sealing clamps effectively to prevent air ingress should also be a priority,” Ms Clements adds. “Be sure to use polythene side sheets to line the walls and an oxygen barrier film with the side sheet folded over it. This should be followed by a polythene top sheet and woven sheet weighed down with mats, touching tyres or bales. Gravel bags should be placed around the edges of the clamp and netting used to stop birds and rodents.

For more details, contact your local silage additive specialist or speak to the Volac team about protecting maize silage quality and reducing storage and feed-out losses.