Clostridia Bacteria.
Clostridia bacteria are also on the forage when it is mowed and are put in the silo with the forage. Clostridia bacteria consume forage carbohydrates, forage proteins, and lactic acid as their energy source and excrete butyric acid. Butyric acid is associated with rotten or putrefied silage. Situations that might benefit clostridia growth are insufficient forage carbohydrate levels (rain while forage is wilting, extended respiration period due to poor packing, seepage due to excessive forage moisture) to complete the fermentation process and/or low lactobacillus bacteria levels.