The addition of Acid Buf and Vistacell, along with extra digestible fibre, can substantially improve butterfat percentage, and subsequent herd performance.
Ration tips to boost acetate production and butterfats
1. Balanced concentrate feeding with good levels of dietary fibre from sources such as soya hulls, sugar beet pulp or high-fibre moist feeds. 2. Feed a concentrate that compliments the energy coming from lush grass combined with feeding a long fibre (hay or straw) to stimulate cudding and help release acid-neutralising saliva. 3. Add Acid Buf™ slow-release rumen conditioner and Vistacell™ live yeast to stabilise rumen pH, minimising the time spent in acidic conditions (below pH 5.8) when fibre digestion is compromised.
The result was due to a substantial reduction in the time the rumen spent at low pH, which improved fibre fermentation and produced a significant rise in the acetate concentration in the rumen (63.1% vs. 61.9%). These results show how important it is to properly support rumen fermentation if butterfat production is to be maintained when grazing. Whether used individually or together, the addition of Acid Buf and Vistacell, along with extra digestible fibre, can substantially improve butterfat percentage, and subsequent herd performance. Would you like to chat? If you would like a chat about how our production improvers can help you increase your butterfat levels while managing costs and herd health,
Hay or big bale silage is ideal, with chopped straw a good alternative if these are not available. One of the best ways to reduce the rate and extent of any rumen pH drop is to add Acid Buf™ slow- release rumen conditioner and Vistacell™ live yeast to the diet or the buffer feed offered at grass. If only feeding compound in the parlour, switch to a concentrate based on digestible fibre rather than starch, and feed ‘little and often’ to avoid overloading the rumen. Always make sure concentrates are high quality with good palatability to encourage full intake alongside grazed grass. The benefits, in terms of improved rumen conditions, as well as milk fat production and milk yields, have been proven in numerous peer- reviewed research and commercial trials over the years. Increasing butterfats with live yeast and conditioners In a case study, the addition of a slow-release conditioner and an active live yeast to cows receiving a 65:35 forage-to-concentrate ratio diet increased both milk fat production (1649 g/cow/ day vs 1462 g/cow/day) and fat-corrected milk yield (38.9kg/cow/day vs 37.1kg/cow/day).
Contact Specialist Nutrition on 051 833071
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