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From the Spanish Field: Proactive Measures to Reduce Soil Contamination in Silage
By David Teran, Technical Sales Manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition
As I watch many farmers dealing with variable conditions this season, I’ve noticed a concerning trend of increased soil contamination in silage. This isn’t just about dirty feed – it’s seriously impacting your bottom line through reduced quality, compromised animal welfare, and diminished performance.
Excess soil in silage introduces harmful bacteria, including Clostridia, which thrive in oxygen-free environments. These bacteria can wreak havoc on silage quality, increasing pH through lactic acid consumption and producing butyric acid, which makes the silage smell rancid. The feed value of the silage is also reduced as Clostridia break down the protein content, leading to the production of biogenic amines like histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine. These compounds can severely impact animal health and production. Silage that not only smells and looks unappealing but actively discourages cows from eating their full ration, significantly lowering production numbers.
Soil contamination in silage leads to several critical issues:
- Clostridia Proliferation: These soilintroduced bacteria break down valuable proteins, producing substances that make silage unpalatable to livestock
- Reduced Nutritional Value: The protein breakdown diminishes essential nutrients, and can lead to the production of biogenic amines, compromising animal performance and health.
- Increased Spoilage: Contamination accelerates degradation, increasing risks of mold and harmful microorganisms
- Economic Impact: The resulting poor quality silage increases per-cow feed costs as you’ll need additional supplements to compensate for lost nutrients
Farms that have successfully overcome this challenge have used MAGNIVA inoculants to control fermentation and minimize spoilage. The MAGNIVA ranges promotes lactic acid bacteria growth during fermentation, rapidly dropping pH levels to inhibit harmful bacteria such as Clostrida from growing in the silage.
While we can’t control the weather, we absolutely can manage the fermentation process. For your subsequent cuts, I strongly recommend using additives to protect silage quality and animal health. Yes, additives represent an additional cost, but they’re far more economical than dealing with spoilage and contamination that drive up per-cow feed costs.
Beyond inoculants, consider these practical techniques, to help reduce clostridial silage:
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- Adjust your cutting head according to ground conditions - set it higher when soil is soft
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- Extend wilting times for drier silage, reducing clostridia’s opportunity to flourish
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- Ensure your bunker is thoroughly cleaned before storing fresh silage
By implementing these straightforward strategies, you’ll maintain silage quality, protect your herd’s health, and maximize performance.
Published Jul 15, 2025 | Updated Aug 8, 2025
