Strain screening -
Pioneering work and the foundation for every subsequent success

Over 10 years ago, by comprehensively screening selected lactic acid bacteria strains, the BONSILAGE team laid the foundations for further work, and this was the key to their success. Time and again since then they have been successful in intelligently combining bacterial strains to achieve optimum performance in specific silage situations.

The performance efficiency of various strain combinations was researched using different basic materials in the field and in the laboratory. On the basis of the parameters gathered, further selections were carried out, until eventually an optimal combination of lactic acid bacteria was established.

Homo- or heterofermentative?
The secret lies in the combination

Initially it was exclusively homofermentative bacterial strains which were used to purposely control the fermentation processes in the silo.
It was known that heterofermentative bacteria strains were composed of acetic acid, and were therefore in theory suitable for increasing the aerobic stability of a silage. Yet to begin with no-one had been successful in transferring these positive properties to a silage additive.

The BONSILAGE team broke the mould and reaped the rewards. The attempt to combine homofermentative bacterial strains with heterofermentative strains, brought ground-breaking success.BONSILAGE PLUS was the first silage additive to use a fermentation sample composed of lactic and acetic acid.

Market launch with distinction:
2 x BONSILAGE, 4 x DLG Quality Certification

In the year 2000 BONSILAGE was introduced to the market – the 2 variants, BONSILAGE and BONSILAGE PLUS, covered a broad spectrum of use and received an award from the DLG.

The additive BONSILAGE received DLG Quality Certification in group 1b, for improving fermentation in dry matter.
BONSILAGE PLUS received an award for its, at that time revolutionary, property of improved aerobic stability (Group 2), which protected silage from overheating. Other documented effects: improved fermentation in the upper DM range (1c), improved palatability and digestibility (4b).

Maize and CCM – at the heart of silage production

In 2003 continuous research work once again paid off: BONSILAGE found additional bacterial strain combinations, which very specifically focussed on the requirements of maize and CCM.

By using BONSILAGE MAIS the increased tendency for overheating in maize silages was very specifically reduced.

Excellent results were achieved with the intensive acidification of BONSILAGE CCM in the corn-cob mix with aerobically stable and hygienically efficient silages.

Waging war on clostridia: BONSILAGE FORTE

2005 provided another milestone in the development of BONSILAGE. A strain combination was found which inhibited the proliferation of clostridia.

To date BONSILAGE FORTE is the only biological silage additive to have this feature, making it the product of choice for wet silages and those which are hard to ensile.

Global silage production provides new impetus for research

The BONSILAGE team benefits from links it has forged in practice.

Schaumann advisors continually foster dialogue with users across the world, and are therefore aware of the particular requirements which arise in silage production management.

The requirement for alterations, such as shorter field retention time, or special plant cultivation, then reach the development department, thus providing the impetus to search for appropriate strains and strain combinations.

BONSILAGE EXTRA improves stability in sugar-rich grasses

BONSILAGE EXTRA was an impressive development in 2009. Its special strain combination is especially suitable for silage production of sugar-rich grasses, which are susceptible to overheating.

Its success was documented in the first season: BONSILAGE EXTRA is the guide in managing to convert the high sugar content of new energy-rich plant cultivations into fermentation acids, leading to higher milk yields.

A first for wet grain: BONSILAGE GRAIN

A first for biologically preserving wet grain in the silo: In 2009 BONSILAGE GRAIN was introduced to the market, providing a distinctively user-friendly, biological alternative to acid use in ground cereal and maize grain.

Dosing technique – applying BONSILAGE to crops

Those who use BONSILAGE can depend on the advantages of a closed system. The factory processes lactic acid bacteria for various application techniques.

Spreadable granules are provided alongside liquid varieties.

Dosing units can be purchased for various systems and harvesting units.

Today – Europe’s No. 1 silage additive

BONSILAGE has in the meantime become the market leader in biological silage additives in Germany, Austria and other countries in Europe.

To date, in over 30 countries, more than 80 million tonnes of silage has been treated using various BONSILAGE products.