Research Conducted by SDSU Dairy Science Department Shows Cows Fed Stay Strong for Dairy Cows from Strong Animals Promotes Milk Fat, Digestibility and Feed Stability
Strong Animals announced today that research conducted by South Dakota State University (SDSU) Dairy Science Department on a commercial dairy operation and presented at the ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting held July 12-16 in Orlando, FL showed feed additive Stay Strong for Dairy Cows improved fiber digestibility in dairy cows and increased milk fat content. Also, feed containing Stay Strong for Dairy Cows took longer than 7.7 hours before there was a 2° C rise in temperature at the feed bunk.Read: Abstract # W385, page 754. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. s3 J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 98, Suppl. 2 Stay Strong for Dairy Cows is an all-natural feed additive from the Strong Animals brand of animal health products.
The university research showed that dry matter digestibility increased 2.3 percentage units and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was 3.8 percentage units greater for cows fed Stay Strong for Dairy Cows. Also, milk fat content improved 0.11 percentage units in cows fed Stay Strong for Dairy Cows.
Olivia Kuester, SDSU graduate research assistant conducted the research study with SDSU Assistant Professor Dr. David Casper. Kuester said the increase in milk fat content is likely the result of improved fiber digestibility.
"If we have greater fiber digestibility, which we observed with a higher NDF coefficient, it is possible that we produce greater acetate in the rumen, which is a precursor to milk fat production," Kuester said. "Another factor we were looking at was improved nitrogen utilization, which we saw in the group fed Stay Strong which demonstrated a reduction in milk urea nitrogen and that would indicate an improve microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. What likely happened was that we improved nitrogen utilization, which increased microbial protein synthesis causing greater acetate production that improved fiber digestibility for greater milk fat."
The SDSU research also showed that feed containing Stay Strong for Dairy Cows took more than 7.7 hours longer than the control until its temperature increased 2° C. Dr. Casper said increased bunk stability can lead to greater feed quality for improved milk production.
"Cows do not like hot feed and an increase in the aerobic stability of the total mixed ration (TMR) means that more nutrients, such as readily fermentable carbohydrates, are available to the cow to be used for the production of milk. More carbohydrates for the cow means more energy," Dr. Casper said.
Stay Strong for Dairy Cows is a product of Strong Animals, a brand ofRalco. The third-generation family owned multinational company with distribution in more than 30 countries is a leading global provider of livestock nutrition, animal health products and crop enhancement products. Ralco supports large segments of the livestock, poultry, aquaculture and crop industries.
7.28.2015