During the sugar cane ensilage occurs an intense growth of yeasts resulting in high DM loss, reducing the quality of this feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation profile of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) silage inoculated with new strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) screened to this forage silage. Fourteen wild LAB strains were evaluated. These strains were characterised biochemically (API 50 CHL, BioMérieux) and identified by sequencing of 16S rDNA. The wild isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis and L. hilgardii. Different fermentation profiles were observed among strains of the same species. The silages inoculated with L. plantarum specie showed the highest yeast population (5.97 log cfu/g silage), ethanol concentration (137 g kg/silage) and DM loss (20.6%) (P < 0.01) and was not beneficial for sugar cane silage. The silages inoculated with L. brevis UFLA SIL17 and UFLA SIL24 and L. hilgardii UFLA SIL51 and UFLA SIL52 strains showed smaller DM loss (12.2%) and NDF-NDF content (573 g/kg silage) (P < 0.01). The silages inoculated with L. hilgardii UFLA SIL51 and UFLA SIL52 strains resulted in 57% and 94% more acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol, respectively, when compared with inoculated silage. Obligatory heterofermentative strains showed better silage quality. L. hilgardii (UFLA SIL51, UFLA SIL52) strains are promising for use in sugar cane silage.