It’s a win-win for dairy farmers as the latest research shows silage inoculated with MAGNIVA Platinum 3 can increase milk yields and can potentially lower the methane intensity required to produce a liter of milk
This compelling story for farmers looking to increase dairy cow productivity and enhance environmental performance, comes after a trial conducted at the Forage Center of Excellence, Miner Chazy*
The power of inoculants put to the test
The US trial evaluated the impact of a multi-strain silage inoculant on lactation performance and methane emissions in Holstein cows. It focused on alfalfa grass silage (AGS) treated with MAGNIVA Platinum 3.
Fifty lactating Holstein cows were assigned to two different dietary treatments. The first group received a ration containing untreated AGS, while the other was fed a ration containing AGS silage inoculated with MAGNIVA Platinum 3.
Over a six-week period, scientists monitored feed intake, milk production, composition, and methane emissions.
Improved milk yield and quality
Results showed that dry matter intakes in cows fed MAGNIVA Platinum 3 treated increased by 0.92kg per cow, per day more than the cows fed the untreated silage.”
These positive results highlight the value of MAGNIVA Platinum 3, as John Bright, Content Manager for Silage Additives at Lallemand Animal Nutrition explains.
“The trial linked increased dry matter intakes (DMI) to increased milk production,” he says. “It quantified how increased DMI led to the production of significantly more milk in the cows fed the MAGNIVA Platinum 3 treated silage – in this case averaging an extra 2 liters of milk per cow per day than the group fed the untreated silage. For a 500 cow herd, that could equate to an extra 1,000 liters of milk per day.”
As well as the increase in milk production, researchers also recorded enhanced overall quality highlighting increases in milk fat, lactose, and a trend toward higher true protein yield.
Energy-corrected milk (ECM), which accounts for variations in milk composition, was also higher in the group fed the MAGNIVA Platinum 3 treated silage (53.2 kg/day versus 51.0 kg/day)
Lower methane intensity per a Kg of Milk?
The trial also revealed some interesting benefits for sustainable farming, highlighting how inoculants can assist with methane reduction.
While total methane emissions were the same between the two groups, cows fed the MAGNIVA Platinum 3-treated silage produced more milk, resulting in a lower methane intensity. Specifically, they emitted 0.38 grams less methane per kilogram of energy-corrected milk (ECM) compared to the control group.
“This reduction in methane intensity is particularly significant for dairy farms, helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and respond to increasing sustainability goals,” John explains.
The potential of enhanced nutrition
As the agricultural industry faces the challenge of feeding a growing population while minimizing its environmental footprint, this trial demonstrated the potential of innovations like multi-strain silage inoculants for more sustainable dairy farming.
John adds: “By improving milk yield and quality, this study quantifies how MAGNIVA Platinum 3 offers dairy producers a significant economic advantage. It’s proven ability to drive higher milk yield while methane emissions stay almost unchanged gives dairy farmers a practical way to reduce their environmental footprint per liter of milk.”
*Results presented at the ADSA 2025 Abstract #:1582
The main takeaways from the trial
What are the benefits of using MAGNIVA Platinum 3 inoculant on alfalfa grass silage?
Using MAGNIVA Platinum 3 inoculant on alfalfa grass silage can increase dry matter intake and milk production, enhance milk quality including fat and lactose content, and reduce methane intensity per unit of milk produced, thereby supporting both productivity and environmental sustainability.
What were the key findings regarding milk production during the trial with MAGNIVA Platinum 3?
The trial found that cows fed MAGNIVA Platinum 3 treated silage increased their dry matter intake by 0.92 kg per day and produced approximately 2 liters more milk per day per cow, with improvements in milk fat, lactose, true protein, and energy-corrected milk yield. So if your operation hosts 500 cows- its around 1000 extra liters of milk per day.
Did the use of MAGNIVA Platinum 3 reduce methane emissions in dairy herd?
While total methane emissions did not differ significantly, cows fed MAGNIVA Platinum 3 exhibited a lower methane intensity, producing 0.38 grams less CH4 per kilogram of energy-corrected milk, which helps reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming.
What is the overall significance of this research for sustainable dairy farming?
The research demonstrates that multi-strain silage inoculants like MAGNIVA Platinum 3 can enhance milk productivity and quality while lowering methane intensity, offering dairy farmers a practical, economic, and sustainable solution to meet increasing production needs and environmental goals.
