ISSUE FOCUS 22 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2022 How can hydroxy trace minerals improve fibre digestibility? Microflora in the rumen play an essential role in digesting dietary fibre. However, the soluble nature of sulphate minerals can allow oxidative salts to dissociate and reduce microflora’s ability to digest fibre. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that completely replacing sulphate trace minerals with IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals resulted in a significant improvement of fibre digestibility. A meta-analysis of 14 studies carried out with IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals showed an average improvement of NDF digestibility of 1.7%. Prior University research conducted with dairy cows has shown that each one-point difference in NDF digestibility can represent an extra .25 to .3 kg of daily Energy Corrected milk production. In general, how do you place a value on a high efficiency cow? Research from cows tracked at five commercial farms provides some good data to support both the economics and environmental benefits of efficiency. Cows were grouped in quadrants and researchers examined the performance of the top performing 25% and least efficient 25%. The highly efficient cows generated about 49% more profit depending on input costs and milk price. Cows in the least efficient group tended to eat more dry matter and concentrate compared to their highly efficient counterparts – yet they produced abut 10 kg less milk per day. And from an environmental perspective, cows with high feed efficiency have been found to generate less methane and produce less manure compared to less efficient cows. The FAO reports that livestock production is responsible for 14.5% of all global greenhouse emissions, of which the dairy sector accounts for about 2.2% of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, improving dairy cows’ productivity can support efforts to reduce methane release. Figure 2: Percentage improvement of fibre digestibility in 14 studies in carried out in cattle on different diets. A positive effect on fibre digestibility was found in 12 out of 14 studies. About Jac Bergman, DVM Graduated from the Veterinary Faculty in Utrecht, the Netherlands in 1990. Worked for 4 years in private practice and the Ambulatory clinic of the Utrecht Veterinary Faculty. Joined Intervet Animal Health in 1994 and worked there for 20 years in various roles. Currently working with Trouw Nutrition as Programme Manager Ruminant Feed Additives.
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