Butyric acid is a volatile fatty acid. In poorly conserved grass and corn silages, butyric acid is produced by butyric acid bacteria. Butyric acid also has an unpleasant smell and is characteristic of a bad and wet grass silage. By chopping, drying, compacting well, or using silage additives, the formation of butyric acid can be prevented.

Butyric Acid in animals?

Butyric acid is formed by the breakdown of sugars and unstable starch. It stimulates the growth of rumen papillae. Since the rumen papillae increase the absorption surface, they are essential for the absorption of fatty acids by the rumen wall.