A method for treating silage to enhance the aerobic stability by increasing the fermentation and stabilization of silage by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria and permitting earlier aerobic exposure is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri strain LN7125, or Lactobacillus brevis strain LB5328, or Lactobacillus brevis strain LB7123, and mixtures or a mutant thereof which retains the silage preservative activity of LN7125, LB5328, or LB7123, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strains of Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus brevis disclosed in the invention have been purified and isolated and have been found to improve aerobic stability of silage allowing earlier aerobic exposure post ensiling than is presently practiced
