Corn silage and wet distillers grains both preserve better if ensiled together — because of low pH and high acetic acid concentrations, recent research on the two feedstuffs reveals.

In tests combining corn silage and wet distillers grains, it was found that acetic acid concentrations were near those of silages inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri bacteria. That's according to South Dakota State University (SDSU) extension dairy specialist Alvaro Garcia.

In 2001, University of Wisconsin research found that inoculating silages with L. buchneri produces acetic acid that reduces yeast survival and enhances fermentation.

SDSU researchers tested corn silage-wet distillers grain combinations at 75:25 and 50:50 ratios. By day 129 in a silage bag, the acetic acid concentration in the 75% corn silage blend reached 5.7%, a value similar to that observed by Wisconsin researchers in L. buchneri-inoculated silages.