TECHNOLOGY 98 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2025 High-yielding cows and beef cattle require large amounts of high-quality protein. Since the microbial proteins in the rumen are not enough to meet this demand, rumen-protected components must be added to their feed. Following the EU-wide ban on formaldehyde, there is a need for sustainable, animal-friendly alternatives. Hydrothermal processes offer one solution. Cows cover a large part of their protein requirements from rumen microbes. However, this supply of protein reaches its limit as the animal's performance increases. In order to supplement this supply, high-quality feed components that are not pre-digested in the rumen must be fed to the animal. These components are directly available for resorption in the small intestine. For many years, treating feed with formaldehyde has been an effective way to increase rumen stability. Following the EU Commission's Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1104 banning formaldehyde, new solutions have emerged: hydrothermal and pressure hydrothermal processes. These processes offer a promising alternative that is completely free of critical additives for modern, healthy animal nutrition. TECHNICAL PROCESSES FOR INCREASING RUMEN STABILITY Hydrothermal and pressure hydrothermal processes protect proteins from premature degradation using physical processes such as heat, pressure, and moisture. These processes do not use chemical additives and meet the key requirements of modern feeding concepts. They are energy-efficient, sustainable, and economical. A key benchmark for evaluating these processes is the UDP value (UnDegradable Protein). The UDP value describes the proportion of rumen-stable protein in total crude protein (CP) and indicates the percentage of proteins that are rumen-stable and directly available for digestion in the small intestine. The rumen stability of feed must be calculated by taking into account a specific retention time in the rumen. For high-yielding cows, about 8% of rumen contents are estimated to enter the intestine per hour. The UDP content of feed is typically calculated based on an 8% passage rate and expressed as UDP8. The efficiency of technical feed processing, or rumen stability, is assessed using various testing and estimation methods. These results are then used to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different processes or treatments compared to the initial product. Since the results vary, it is necessary to continuously sample the raw material and finished product to generate a stable and reliable database. Rumen Stabilization without Formaldehyde: HYDROTHERMAL PROCESSES FOR STABLE PROTEINS Felix Tometten Animal Feeder Amandus Kahl
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