Abstract: The invention provides an ensiling agent which contains, based on the total quantity of active ingredients, a mixture of from 50 to 90% by weight of salts of formic acid and from 10 to 50% by weight of hexamethylene tetramine or other compounds which slowly and continuously release formaldehyde during the fermentation of fodder plants.The invention further provides a process for the fermentation of fodder plants in which from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of an ensiling agent based on the weight of green fodder, is added to the material which is to be ensiled, the proportion of hexamethylene tetramine or other compounds which slowly and continuously release formaldehyde during fermentation, not exceeding 0.1% by weight, based on the weight of green fodder.Such ensiling agents are useful for fermenting fodder plants, in particular these which are difficult to convert into silage.

Abstract: A method of preventing aerobic decomposition processes and fermented fodder, and particularly, carbohydrate-containing silages is disclosed. The method involves adding benzoic acid or its salts, metal formates, and alkali salts of sulphurous acid, either individually or in an admixture, to the fodder during storage or to the silage after removal from storage in such a quantity that the fermented fodder contains from about 100 to 1000 ppm of benzoic acid, from 500 to 3000 ppm of metal formate, and from about 75 to 750 ppm of alkali salts of sulphurous acid. The combination of chemicals suppresses secondary aerobic fermentation processes through a synergistic effect.

Abstract: When ensiling fodder, such as grass, clover, lucerne, it has been found useful to add hexamethylenetetramine and a nitrite to the fodder.