A model of the anaerobic phase of ensiling

A model of ensiling is described which incorporates the interactions of lactic acid bacteria and Clostridia with water soluble carbohydrates. The processes modelled include bacterial growth, the production of lactic and butyric acids from water soluble carbohydrates, and the conversion of lactic acid to butyric acid. The calculation of pH, and the regulation of bacterial activity by pH are important components of the model. The model predicts time courses for pH and the five State variables, which are the concentrations of water soluble carbohydrates, lactic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid bacteria and Clostridia. There is good qualitative agreement between the predictions of the model and experimental data on ensiling.