Product spotlight: ProMyr™ IQ 700

ProMyr™ IQ 700 is a new type of product belonging to the ProMyr™ product family. Unlike the well-known buffered acid-based silage additives, ProMyr™ IQ 700 is a mixture of different salts. As such it is non-corrosive and also particularly effective at spreading evenly throughout the treated product. ProMyr™ IQ 700 is designed for bales, but is also suitable for ensilage in bunker silos.

How ProMyr™ IQ 700 works

The product is a mixture of the two salts: sodium propionate and sodium nitrite. Sodium propionate is a salt of Perstorp’s well-known propionic acid. When lactic acid is formed during the ensilage process some of it will convert the sodium propionate into propionic acid, which is very effective against mold and yeast strains. The lactic acid will also release nitrous gases from the other salt – the sodium nitrite.

These gases are very effective in killing Clostridium bacteria.

Optimal distribution throughout the bale

ProMyr™ IQ 700 is a gas forming additive, which means that the active substance can be spread well in the bales even if the actual silage additive is difficult to distribute evenly. This makes ProMyr™ IQ 700 such a great alternative for acid based silage additives, especially if you want to guarantee the quality of your bale silage and prefer to use a non-corrosive product.

When using other silage additives it is diffi­cult to achieve a good distribution of the additive in bales because large amounts of green mass are pressed tightly together in layers. In the worst case scenario only the surface of these layers touch and the effect of the silage additive varies in different parts of the bale.

Since the green mass does not mix to the same extent as with exact chopping, there is also a high risk of a heterogeneous composition of green mass in bales. Even if the DM content is set carefully, soggier parts often occur in the bales. The risk of unwanted microbial growth is high in these deviating parts inside the bale. The advantages of a silage additive that promotes even distribution throughout the bale are obvious.

Less problems with ruptured plastic

Another risk factor when ensiling in bales is that the entire enclosing surface is made of plastic film. Holes are easily made in the plastic, often caused by birds, livestock or careless hand­ling. When air gets into the bale there is a high risk of mold and yeast growth. The yeast uses the carbohydrates in the feed as a substrate, as well as the lactic acid that preserves the bale. When the lactic acid disappears, the pH value rises, leading to the feed no longer being storage-stable. Many different microorganisms can start to grow and their activity is often so extensive that heat accumulates in the bale and so-called overheating takes place. Both ruminants and horses are very sensitive to fungal toxins (mycotoxins). ProMyr™ IQ 700 is effective against Clostridium bacteria and as such helps to prevent some of the undesired effects that occur when a bale is ruptured.