Making best use of Trading Desks Products on your farm

Live Yeast

Toxin binders

Glycerol

Protected fats

Molasses

 Analyse the Alternatives

Molasses, glycerol, protected fats, yeast, toxin binders and on-farm minerals. All recognised category names - some farmers may even be using them on-farm. But are they being used to their full potential and how do they best fit into each farm situation. Over the next few weeks Mary-Jane Robinson will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of balancing dairy and beef rations with all of the above supplementary products that are currently available through Thompsons Trading Desk.

Live Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

As the rumen functions as a fermentation chamber, anaerobic communities of bacteria, fungi and protozoa are responsible for the feed digestion process. When this process is not maximised the rumen can experience problems such as acidosis, bloat and nitrogen loss. The rumen is also the cows centre for immunity, with a healthy rumen making the cow better equipped to fight disease and remain productive. Active dry (Live) yeast has been dried and preserved in such a way that allows it to retain its fermenting power. This can give key benefits within the rumen;

• Competes with other microorganisms for food thus reducing lactic acid production. Maintenance of rumen pH is vital particularly in high starch diets.

• Provides the nutrients required for the growth of other microorganisms that aid digestion. This can increase fibre digestion and ultimately improve milk from forage.

• Scavenges oxygen to facilitate anaerobic bacteria which in turn removes lactic acid. Excess acid in the rumen can reduce feed efficiency.

Although the species name of live yeast products on the market are the same (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), each product is a different strain.

In general, the response to feeding live yeast has been consistent. In 22 dairy studies Robinson and Erasmus (2008) found that the addition of yeasts increased diet dry matter intake, milk yield and milk components from between 2 and 5%. Other rumen function modifying products such as essential oils, fungal products etc. do not have the same consistency of performance response.

Therefore feeding a live yeast, to enhance rumen function is well proven long-term investment with long-term benefits.

Beef animals can gain all the benefits of reduced acidosis and bloat. Typically an improvement in Daily Live Weight Gain can also be observed when feeding yeasts.

Levucell SC Titan

Levucell SC Titan is a unique strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1077) which is specifically selected for its action to boost rumen performance. Levucell SC Titan is the only live yeast which is micro encapsulated using a patented process which ultimately protects it during manufacture and ensures it is viable when it reaches the rumen. Typically trials on Levucell SC Titan has seen an average increase in milk yield of 2 litres/cow/day which gives approximately an 8:1 return depending on the milk price. Considering beef animals typically an improvement of 10-12% Daily Live Weight Gain could be expected by improving both feed intake and efficiency. Beef trials on Levucell SC Titan also highlighted not only a better carcass yield but also better carcass grading.

To find out if this product is a cost effective option on your farm Ring Ashleigh or Kirstie on (028) 9035 4622 at the Thompsons Trading Desk.

 Reduced dry matter intakes, poor body condition score, low milk production with poor quality, sporadic scouring, inconsistent faeces with mucus tags, swollen hocks and teats, foot lesions that struggle to heal, increased disease incidence, and poor reproductive performance. All of the above health problems could be indicators of a mycotoxin problem on your unit. If these problems are linked to mycotoxins, what are the reasons and what can you do about them?

There are many different types of toxins that are generically referred to as Mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can occur in any stored feed, such as grains, silage and moist feeds. They are produced from moulds and fungi and are released under stressful conditions such as heat, cold, moisture, flooding and drought. They are often seen as hidden costs as you can’t see them, you don’t know they are there and you can’t kill them.

Mycotoxins can cause significant economic losses in both dairy and beef cattle by impairing animal health through disease, reduced feed efficiency and by reducing fertility.

Role of toxin binders

Commercially toxin binders are used at farm level to alleviate or reduce problems associated with mycotoxins. Toxin binders have an efficacy that is broad spectrum which allows for a range of mycotoxins to be covered. For example Ultrasorb contains clay particles which help to bind mycotoxins and prevent them causing damage inside the animal. Ultrasorb also contains a nutrient package which assists liver recovery and also stimulates rumen microbes. Ultrasorb can be added over the top of silage or mixed via a TMR.

Mycotoxin problems can be observed across the whole herd, in a group of animals or in individual animals. The problem can occur sporadically, last a few days or last for several months. It is therefore difficult to calculate cost implications of mycotoxins, however due to high feed prices this winter increased feed efficiency will be key to success. Due to the various number of mycotoxins and because the problem can be sporadic, it can be difficult to test for mycotoxins. In many cases it is a matter of adding the binder and if mycotoxins are a problem there will be an improvement in feed intake, milk production and growth rates. Fertility and herd health will also improve.

If you think mycotoxins may be a problem on your farm this winter please talk to Thompsons Trading Desk to find out how the cost effective benefits of feeding toxin binders could make an impact on your dairy or beef herd this winter.

Ring Ashleigh or Kirstie on (028) 9035 4622

Glycerol

Glycerol also known as glycerine - a by-product of biodiesel production – is a sweet, syrupy liquid that can be fed to both beef and dairy cattle. Alongside its ability to make feed more palatable due to its sweet taste, nutritionally glycerol is used as an energy source and contains the same amount of energy as maize on a dry matter basis. Therefore depending on the cost of cereal it may prove economical to feed this type of product to livestock.

Dairy Cattle; The use of glycerol in dairy diets is not a new idea, but it is one that has had renewed interest. Studies have shown that feeding glycerol to cows in early lactation can help to reduce the animal’s negative energy balance. The ripple effect of this silent shift in the cow’s health status is huge and starts with a reduced risk of Ketosis. This in turn will ultimately result in higher Dry Matter Intakes and therefore improved performance by increasing milk yield. The key is to ensure that the glycerol is fed to the right cattle at the right time.

Beef Cattle; In a recent university study a 12% improvement in feed efficiency was seen. Maximum results were gained when a 10% inclusion rate of glycerol was used. This resulted in a daily weight gain of 1.4 pounds (compared to 1.3 pounds in a control) in beef cattle fed glycerol and an increased marbling of the carcass as the glycerol is converted to glucose.

Glycerol is an easily stored product which is available in self contained 1tonne Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) from Thompsons or in bulk form. It will not freeze in the winter and does not cake to mixers or feed bunks.

It is imperative that glycerol is purchased from a source with high quality assurances that supply the product with a known specification. This is due to possible toxic impurities within crude glycerol. High levels of methanol, salts and heavy metals can be found which may be toxic. The high salt content is mainly from potassium salts and phosphates. High phosphorous content may also have a detrimental impact on nutrient management plans such as Phosphorous derogations.

When deciding on whether this product is suitable on your farm it is vital that the total diet being fed is correctly balanced and the economics of feeding the product relative to cereal is assessed.

Talk to Thompsons Trading Desk to find out how the cost effective benefits of feeding glycerol could make an impact on your dairy or beef herd this winter. Ring Ashleigh or Kirstie on (028) 9035 4622

The inclusion of protected fats in dairy diets is big business. The aggressive promotion of the different products available can prove a distraction to the real benefits of including protected fat in the diet. Protected fats or “rumen bypass” fats – as they are also known – are named due to their melting point of 50°c plus allowing them to pass through the rumen (39°c) into the small intestine where they are digested by fat specific enzymes. The purpose of this is to increase the energy density of the diet (many protected fats have a 250% higher energy content than cereals and forages) without increasing acid loading in the rumen. Protected fats can also have the benefit of reducing the dustiness and therefore improving the palatability of feed. Feeding a protected fat eliminates the potential rumen upset that can result from feeding high levels of unprotected fat.

Dairy Cattle; Though different brands promote different benefits, the bottom line is that by improving the negative energy balance in early lactating cows the risk of ketosis is reduced and the body condition of these cows can also be improved.

An increase in peak and total lactation yields has been observed when using Protected fats. One brand available through the Trading Desk advertises a benefit of 4 litres per day throughout the first half of lactation. Milk composition improvements have also been recorded with the use of C16 type protected fats, with producers seeing a benefit in butterfat levels. Improved conception rates to first service have also highlighted the potential fertility advantage. These benefits have also led to a reduction in culling rates, which is often associated with poor milk yield and fertility.

On the downside, if feeding protected fat to late lactating cows care must be taken to ensure that they do not become overweight in the dry period. Total energy density must be balanced for the various stages of lactation, so that cows calve down with the correct body condition score.

Dynalac; Another option this winter is the use of Dynalac. It is a selected fatty acid oil blend which is presented on a slow release base to prevent rumen upset. The inclusion of Omega 3 oils in this product have an anti inflammatory effect and improve immune response. Likewise the benefits highlighted above such as increasing milk yield, improving body condition apply to this product.

This product is available at approximately £250/t cheaper than other leading brands.

Beef Cattle; The use of protected fat in beef diets can play a role where low energy forages are being fed to maximise dry matter intakes, which will ultimately improve daily liveweight gain. Again as with feeding any alternative the use in terms of economics clearly needs to be weighed up.

To find out which product is most cost effective on your farm please contact Ashleigh or Kirstie on (028) 9035 4622 at the Thompsons Trading Desk. 

Molasses

 The volatility of raw material prices may have farmers searching for alternatives. But what are the cost effective options for feeding dairy and beef cattle this winter. Molasses is a product that may prove to be the right choice for many farms.

Depending on the type of molasses (Beet molasses or Cane molasses) protein content will vary however with a 50% sugar level the energy gain from feeding molasses is a huge benefit. When this is combined with an overall improvement to the palatability of a diet – as the molasses binds and moistens the ration - dry matter intakes have seen an increase of 10%. In many cases this has also been linked to improved starch and fibre digestion. In summary molasses can provide a cost effective source of sugar which will stimulate rumen function. The advantages of molasses have the ability to improve animal performance.

However there are also drawbacks of feeding this type of product. Firstly there is a set up cost as a tank is required to store the product in. Potentially molasses will thicken in cold weather so this can cause some difficultly in storing, handling and mixing. Also molasses can contain high levels of potassium and salt, which may lead to “scouring” if fed in high quantities. Fortunately this can be avoided if farmers adhere to the feeding guidelines of 0.5-1 kg/head/day. High levels of sugar can also lead to acidosis in ruminants, but again only when the product is fed incorrectly. It is therefore important to consider the total diet and ensure it is properly balanced to avoid such issues.

There are rewards to be gained by feeding a product such as molasses; when deciding which option is best for your farm both the advantages and disadvantages need to be carefully weighed up and the economics of the product relative to cereal must be considered.

Talk to Thompsons Trading Desk to find out how the cost effective benefits of feeding molasses could make an impact on your dairy or beef herd this winter. Ring Ashleigh or Kirstie on (028) 9035 4622