It’s the microscopic differences that count

The name of several strains of bacteria found in forage inoculants are set to change following a modification to the taxonomy of the genus, Lactobacillus.

Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorisation or classification of all living things into groups based on their domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.

The genus Lactobacillus contains more than 260 bacterial species that have extremely diverse genotypic, phenotypic and ecological features.

Following a detailed review, the genus has been reorganised into 25 separate genera, including the newly-created Lentilactobacillus and Lactiplantibacillus categories.

Hence, Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus hilgardii, two bacterial species found in MAGNIVA Platinum, are now officially called Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lentilactobacillus hilgardii.

Likewise, Lactobacillus plantarum, which is found in MAGNIVA Classic, becomes Lactiplantibacillus
plantarum.

Both inoculants are marketed by Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Country Manager, Alex Turney, says while these changes may not be a primary consideration for silage contractors and livestock producers when considering which forage inoculant to use this spring, it does reinforce the bigger picture.

“Forage inoculants alter the rate of fermentation in preserved forage and more specifically, help to create an anaerobic environment that prevents the proliferation of spoilage-causing yeasts and moulds.

“In essence, we are using beneficial bacterial species to control undesirable bacterial species in an extremely complex biological environment.

“These new names reflect that complexity – and also the incredible level of knowledge that goes into forage inoculants.”

Lallemand is a global leader in the research, development, production and supply of strain specific
yeast, bacteria and microbial derivatives that are used in a wide range of industries.

Lallemand is continually searching for new strains of yeasts and bacteria that are fit for purposes. Its nutrition division is a leading supplier of scientifically-proven silage inoculants, probiotics and yeast derivatives used in the preservation of fodder and in livestock feed.

“We pride ourselves on developing ‘strain specific’ biological solutions,” Alex says.

“For example, MAGNIVA Platinum doesn’t contain members of the Hilgardii and Buchneri families, they contain the specific strains CNCM I-4785 and NCIMB 40788.

“Lallemand investigated hundreds of different strains with the Hilgardii and Buchneri species before identifying and assessing those that delivered the desired outcome.

“In combination, these two specific strains deliver a fast-acting ‘front end’ fermentation with ‘back end’ aerobic stability that has been proven in dozens of leading agricultural research institutes throughout the world.

“In practical terms, producers, if they need to, can open the silage pit sooner without any impact on nutritional value or aerobic stability and avoid spoilage during feeding out.

“In the same way, MAGNIVA Classic contains two specific strains of P. pentosaceus and L. plantarum that dominate silage