TABLE 1.

The four main phases of the ensilage process^a

Phase	Key event	Duration
Aerobic	Aerobic organisms active	Short lived (hours)
	Oxygen depletion
Anaerobic	Competition between anaerobes	Days
	Acidification
	LAB domination in a good fermentation
Stable (storage)	Low pH	Months
Maturation	Inhibition of spoilage organisms
	Decrease in viable microorganisms
Feedout	Aerobic instability	Days
	Increase in pH
	Increase in aerobes; spoilage

^aSee reference 47.