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OPTIGEN®

Pushing the boundaries of protein nutrition

Optigen® is an innovative ingredient that provides a slow release of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) to the rumen over time. This ensures that rumen bacteria have continued access to this essential food source, leading to increased microbial protein, fibre digestion and available energy for milk and meat production.

Wasted nitrogen means wasted performance

In ruminant production systems, 75–95% of the dietary nitrogen consumed as feed protein is excreted. This nitrogen is wasted because ruminants are generally unable to use nitrogen efficiently, and this has a major impact on not only production profitability but also agri-food sustainability.

Under common feeding practices, there are periods of excess followed by periods of deficiency regarding rumen ammonia levels. This is particularly evident when the diet is supplemented with urea or fat-coated urea products, which release ammonia in the rumen all at once. Excess rumen ammonia is wasteful and potentially toxic, as it can lead to elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and, subsequently, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) levels. On the other hand, when there is a deficit of rumen ammonia for a considerable amount of time, the rumen bacteria do not have access to this food source required for growth. As a result, productivity slows down.

The controlled and continual supply of ruminal ammonia provided by Optigen serves to meet the nitrogen needs of rumen microbes more effectively than other sources, such as straight feed urea. This leads to more efficient use of dietary nitrogen, an increase in the microbial protein supplied to the animal and reduced nitrogen excretion.


Benefits of Optigen in dairy cows:

  • Optimises milk production
  • Enhances microbial protein production and fiber digestion
  • Increases energy available for milk production
  • Reduces the carbon footprint of dairy diets by decreasing the inclusion of high-carbon feedstuffs, such as soybean
  • Helps maintain performance during periods of heat stress
  • Helps maintain rumen health and efficiency
  • Allows for the opportunity to formulate cheaper feed ingredients and lower the cost of rations


Benefits of Optigen in beef cattle:

  • Increases liveweight gain
  • Increases feed efficiency and energy available for production
  • Enhances microbial protein production and fiber digestion
  • Reduces the carbon footprint of beef rations by decreasing the inclusion of high-carbon feedstuffs, such as soybean
  • Helps to maintain a healthy rumen environment
  • Lowers the cost of diets by enabling formulation of cheaper feed ingredients

Supported by two decades of research

7Ps of Consistency with Optigen

Consistent soluble protein icon

Consistent soluble protein

A solution to address variations in protein meals.

Consistent product icon

Consistent product

A safe and traceable source of NPN that is consistent in size, composition and physical form.

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Consistent position

Sustainable feeding of the rumen, more efficient microbial growth and less feed wastage.

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Consistent performance

Increased lifetime productivity and clear improvements in feed efficiency.

Consistently Planet Friendly icon

Consistently planet-friendly

Reduces the carbon footprint of diets, improves nitrogen utilization and reduces nitrogen excretion.

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Consistent price

Reduces reliance on vegetable protein sources, which fluctuate in price.

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Consistent production

Six international production facilities, consistently supplying customer needs.

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Download Optigen meta-analyses

Recently published Optigen meta-analyses in dairy and beef cattle highlight production efficiency gains, directly translating into a significant reduction in carbon footprint!

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Contact Us Today!

Contact a local Alltech representative today for more information on Optigen.

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