The invention relates to a liquid preservative composition which is suited for the preservation of green forage or the like and which contains as its active ingredient benzoic acid or its derivative. Benzoic acid or its derivative specifically promotes useful microbial activity in green forage. In the present invention their action is enhanced by adding to the composition propionic acid, which dissolves them, or a mixture of the same, together with formic acid and/or acetic acid. These acids also as such promote the said useful microbial activity. Other constituents which improve solubility and conventional agents promoting lactic acid fermentation can also be added to the composition.
