Abstract: Compositions and methods for the production of biogas from forage are provided. Compositions comprise a combination microbial inoculant, silage produced from forage inoculated with the combination microbial inoculant, and biogas produced from the silage. Various methods are provided for increasing biogas production and decreasing dry matter loss by inoculating forage with a combination inoculant. In certain embodiments, inoculating forage with specific combinations of bacterial strains results in a synergistic decrease in dry matter loss and a synergistic increase in biogas production. In other embodiments, inoculating a biomass composition comprising silage and sludge with specific combinations of bacterial strains results in a synergistic increase in biogas production.

Abstract: Compositions of ferulate esterase producing bacterial strains or functional mutants thereof and methods of using ferulate esterase producing bacterial strains as silage inoculants for the enhancement of biogas production are disclosed. Ferulate esterase producing bacterial strains of Lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus buchneri, or functional mutants thereof are used as silage inoculants to improve the degradation of plant biomass for enhanced production of biogas.

Abstract: Compositions of ferulate esterase producing bacterial strains or functional mutants thereof and methods of using ferulate esterase producing bacterial strains as silage inoculants for the enhancement of biogas production are disclosed. Ferulate esterase producing bacterial strains of Lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus buchneri, or functional mutants thereof are used as silage inoculants to improve the degradation of plant biomass for enhanced production of biogas.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN 1326, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strain of Lactobacillus buchneri disclosed in the invention has been purified and isolated and has been found to be nontoxic, safe and able to improve aerobic stability of silage.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN1284, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strain of Lactobacillus buchneri disclosed in the invention has been purified and isolated and has been found to be nontoxic, safe and able to improve aerobic stability of silage.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN1286, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strain of Lactobacillus buchneri disclosed in the invention has been purified and isolated and has been found to be nontoxic, safe and able to improve aerobic stability of silage.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN1297, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strain of Lactobacillus buchneri disclosed in the invention has been purified and isolated and has been found to be nontoxic, safe and able to improve aerobic stability of silage.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN5665, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strain of Lactobacillus buchneri disclosed in the invention has been purified and isolated and has been found to be nontoxic, safe and able to improve aerobic stability of silage.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN5689, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strain of Lactobacillus buchneri disclosed in the invention has been purified and isolated and has been found to be nontoxic, safe and able to improve aerobic stability of silage.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of yeast strains associated with spoilage of silage is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising killer yeast strains, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. According to the invention, strains of Saccharomyces exiguus have been purified and isolated which are nontoxic, safe, do not assimilate lactate and which improve aerobic stability of silage, are disclosed. Portions of these strains have been sequenced to further characterize the invention.

Abstract: A method for treating silage to enhance aerobic stability by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri, LN 3957, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. According to the invention, a strain of Lactobacillus has been purified and isolated which is nontoxic, safe and which improves aerobic stability of silage.