ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2025 61 In addition, following research in collaboration with the INRA in France, Techna developed a DM4 criteria. This is a measure that can be used to determine the proportion of dry matter that has been degraded after four hours in the rumen—starch, sugars, NDF, pectins, protein and so on. DM4 is a criterion used to predict the risk of acidosis across all major raw materials (Figure 1). Fresh grass—in particular young grass—has a high DM4 value. Anything that has a DM4 of 50% and above is a feed that is putting the rumen at risk of a SARA and acidosis. Ensuring rumen pH is stable and optimal will help keep the rumen in good health. Buffer feeding and/or using feed additives such as yeasts, buffers and essential oils, will help stabilise rumen pH. Rumen buffers act by alkalising the rumen, while a specific blend of essential oils will switch the lactate into propionate—securing rumen pH. Mycotoxins Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi (molds) that can contaminate feedstuffs like forages and grains. Mycotoxins can negatively impact dairy cows, leading to reduced milk production, decreased feed intake, impaired immune function, and potential health issues; ultimately impacting feed efficiency. Cows are usually able to manage some level of mycotoxins in their diet but as the load grows so does the risk. It tends to be at times of stress that cows will be affected most but these can be as small as a routine foot trimming or vaccination. By the time you see the effects of mycotoxins, such as swollen hocks, increased temperatures or reduced intakes, milk yield will already have suffered. To help manage mycotoxins, feed should be stored properly, tested for mycotoxins, and if mycotoxins are present then use feed additives such as VITALPROTECT that help mitigate mycotoxins while maintaining digestive tract integrity. SMALL INTESTINE Not all nutrients are fermented in the rumen, a portion escapes fermentation and flows into the small intestine. The small intestine is the absorption centre for many nutrients such as starch and protein. Starch that avoids rumen digestion is broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, providing glucose directly to the cow. Protein absorbed in the small intestine is delivered as microbial protein from rumen microbes and undegraded protein (RUP). Both microbial and dietary proteins are digested by enzymes, breaking them down into amino acids. These amino acids are then absorbed into the bloodstream for use by the animal and are a significant source of amino acids for the ruminant. The intestinal crypts in particupH = 6.18 - 0.0049 DM4h n = 14, R2 = 73.3, rsd = 0.06 SORGHO pH of the incubation environment acidifying power DM degraded at 4h (%) Source: According to Sauvant et al., 2010 6.1 6.0 5.9 5.8 5.7 CORN SOYA HULLS 10 30 50 70 90 SOYBEAN MEAL COCONUT MEAL RAPESEED MEAL BEET PULP GLUTEN FEED CITRUS PULP FINE BRAN OAT WHEAT BARLEY CASSAVA Figure 1. Relationship between the acidogenic value of feeds and the degradation of their DM in sacco at 4h
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