NEW DAIRY RESEARCH SHOWS RUMEN CONDITIONER PLUS YEAST MORE BENEFICIAL THAN YEAST ALONE

3 June 2015

Adding a rumen conditioner and yeast to dairy rations can produce gains that exceed those achieved by the yeast alone, according to new research from Schothorst Feed Research (SFR) in the Netherlands.

Compared to yeast only, the combination treatment substantially reduced the time rumen pH was below the point at which fibre digestion is compromised (50 vs. 87 mins below pH 5.8) and significantly increased the proportion of acetate (63.0 vs. 61.4%) and butyrate (13.6 vs. 12.8%) volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen.

“The result was a 4% rise in milk fat production from 1.58 to 1.65 kg/day and a 3% improvement in overall feed conversion efficiency – from 1.60 to 1.65 – in terms of kg fat-corrected milk yield per kg dry matter intake,” explains Dr Nicola Walker, AB Vista’s Ruminant Product Development Manager.

The study used a small group of fistulated Holstein Friesians fed a 65:35 forage-to-concentrate ratio diet either with or without the addition of a metabolically active live yeast (Vistacell at 4g/cow/day) or a combination product (Vistacell AB) containing both the yeast and a calcareous marine algae-based slow-release rumen conditioner (Acid Buf at 88g/cow/day).

“What’s clear is that it’s no longer a simple question of whether a yeast or rumen conditioner is the best option to help maintain rumen function and milk fat synthesis,” Dr Walker states.

“For milk producers looking to maximise milk value and maintain butterfats during the summer grazing season, it appears there’s an advantage to using both at the same time.”

ends

Notes to editor:

AB Vista is a leading global supplier of micro-ingredients for the animal feed industry.

For further press information please contact Nic Daley or Mike Keeler on +44 (0)20 8647 4467.

ABV/119/15

Tags: