Skip to main content

Cece Blythe

An Ohio farm girl with roots down in Kansas on her husband's family cow-calf operation in the beautiful Kansas Flint Hills, Cece's involvement in the cattle industry is more than her job, but her lifestyle. She pursued her interest in agriculture through her degree in agribusiness and applied economics from The Ohio State University and comes to Alltech with a background in livestock genetics and marketing.

Cece has been with Alltech since 2020, where she serves as the North American beef marketing coordinator.

<>Job Title
North American Beef Marketing Coordinator
<>Profile Picture
Cece Utendorf
<>Attachments

Cómo almacenar los alimentos para cerdos: Consejos para prevenir la contaminación del alimento

Submitted by ldobler on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 11:21

Es vital contar con un sistema de gestión firme de almacenamiento de alimento balanceado para cerdos para prevenir su contaminación. Los alimentos almacenados corren el riesgo de sufrir crecimiento de hongos, lo que puede conducir al desarrollo de micotoxinas, así como daños por insectos y plagas, lo que en última instancia reduce la densidad de nutrientes del alimento. La gestión adecuada de los alimentos almacenados en depósitos a granel es importante para evitar esta reducción de la nutrición. Existen varias prácticas para mantener la calidad del alimento durante el almacenamiento en depósitos, tales como:

  • Dejar vaciar los depósitos antes de rellenarlos con nuevas entregas.
  • No permitir que el alimento viejo se acumule en esquinas o tuberías.
  • Mantener los depósitos en buenas condiciones para evitar la entrada de agua.
  • Restringir el acceso de roedores e insectos.

Los depósitos deben inspeccionarse regularmente para detectar óxido o daños, incluyendo fugas en costuras o articulaciones flojas. Los sinfines de entrada y salida deben ser examinados para ver si hay daños o acumulación de alimento viejo. Idealmente, todos los depósitos deberían estar vacíos dentro de los 30 días, por lo cual los productores deben asegurarse de tener suficiente capacidad de almacenamiento para lograr esto sin desabastecerse de alimento.

En primavera y otoño (o cada seis meses), todos los depósitos se tienen que vaciar y ser tratados con un inhibidor de hongos. El interior debe limpiarse con una máquina de agua a presión, prestando mucha atención a las esquinas u otras áreas donde los alimentos viejos pueden haber quedado atrapados. Los depósitos deben estar completamente secos antes de llenarlos nuevamente. La fumigación se puede utilizar para controlar cualquier insecto o ácaro que pueda estar presente y se tiene que instalar un programa de control de roedores, el cual debe ser revisado regularmente.

Los riesgos de las micotoxinas en la alimentación porcina

El alimento viejo, caducado y/o húmedo desarrollará rápidamente el crecimiento de hongos. Esto, a su vez, produce micotoxinas que contaminan el alimento y que pueden ser altamente problemáticas para los cerdos.

En comparación con el ganado, los cerdos son muy sensibles a las micotoxinas. Los ejemplares jóvenes y las cerdas reproductoras/verracos son generalmente los más susceptibles a las micotoxinas. La presencia de estas en el alimento, incluso en niveles bajos, puede provocar infertilidad y abortos, problemas de palatabilidad, desperdicio de alimento y pérdida de nutrientes (debido a la actividad fúngica que descompone los nutrientes en el alimento). Estos problemas conducen a la reducción del promedio de ganancias diarias y a un bajo rendimiento, a la reducción de las tasas de reproducción y concepción, al aumento de enfermedades y problemas de salud en la granja y, en última instancia, a la pérdida de ingresos.

Los ingredientes del alimento balanceado como el maíz, la soja y otros cereales –que se utilizan como componentes principales en la alimentación de los cerdos– están expuestos a la contaminación por hongos en el campo. El riesgo puede ser mayor cuando se registran condiciones de cosecha más húmedas. Para proteger contra cualquier posible contaminación por hongos y reducir los riesgos de las micotoxinas, es necesario incorporar en el alimento un aglutinante de micotoxinas probado y de amplio espectro que inhiba los efectos de las toxinas.

Adicionalmente, la implementación de un programa de prevención integral, como el Programa de Manejo de Micotoxinas de Alltech®, es una parte importante de cualquier estrategia de higiene y calidad de los alimentos en la granja.

Contaminación por ácaros

Las infestaciones de insectos en los depósitos de almacenamiento pueden conducir a varios problemas. Los ácaros de los cereales perforan el grano y se sienten atraídos por el almidón de las dietas molidas o peletadas. A medida que consumen este componente del alimento denso en energía, desequilibran la dieta al diluir sus niveles de energía, lo que también podría afectar la palatabilidad del alimento. La contaminación por ácaros también reduce el equilibrio energía/proteína (que puede afectar el aumento de peso) y eleva tanto los niveles relativos de fibra como la cantidad de desperdicio de alimentos. Estos efectos tienen un gran impacto en la eficiencia de la conversión de alimentos y el rendimiento del crecimiento, lo que en última instancia afecta la rentabilidad.

Alimento húmedo

Ofrecer a los cerdos alimentos húmedos o mojados supone un gran riesgo de contaminación por hongos y bacterias. Si una granja utiliza este tipo de alimentos, es esencial que preste mucha atención a la higiene del equipo y a la calidad de cada lote entregado. Los alimentos húmedos que no son frescos y/o que han sido almacenados varias veces antes de la entrega, especialmente durante los meses más calurosos, son de alto riesgo de contaminación. Todas las áreas de almacenamiento y procesamiento/mezcla deben limpiarse y desinfectarse regularmente según las instrucciones de un plan de higiene estricto.

Cualquier agua salpicada o derramada durante la entrega o uso de alimentos húmedos debe limpiarse inmediatamente. Los tanques de almacenamiento y las tuberías tienen que lavarse para mitigar el crecimiento de hongos y evitar que atraigan la atención de roedores, aves silvestres o insectos. Los sistemas de alimentación líquida deben estar equipados con puntos de drenaje para permitir la limpieza regular y un desagüe eficiente. También hay que desinfectar las tuberías para evitar que las biopelículas se acumulen en cualquier esquina o conexión, ya que pueden albergar patógenos que contaminan los alimentos que pasan a través de ellas. El equipo debe ser revisado regularmente para cuidar el deterioro por uso, y las piezas que podrían romperse tienen que ser reemplazadas. Por ejemplo, las gomas de las válvulas se deterioran, por lo que se debe incorporar un programa de mantenimiento regular a la rutina de la granja. También hay que mantener una reserva de las piezas que comúnmente necesitan ser reemplazadas con mayor frecuencia, además de ordenar más piezas una vez que se utilice una unidad.

Cuando se mezclan dietas completas, los ingredientes secos tienen que almacenarse por separado para evitar la entrada de agua y el crecimiento de hongos. Los insectos, aves y roedores no deben tener acceso a las zonas de almacenamiento del alimento o de mezcla y procesamiento. Se debe establecer un programa de prevención y erradicación que incluya barreras de acceso en la entrada, para impedir la contaminación por heces y orina, lo cual propaga las enfermedades. Los alimentos húmedos están particularmente en riesgo de contaminación fecal por aves silvestres, por lo que, como forma de prevención, hay que cubrir todos los tanques de almacenamiento.

Los alimentos húmedos deben ser proporcionados inmediatamente después de mezclarse, ya que por su alto contenido de agua se fermentan y se dañan rápidamente. Los comederos utilizados para este tipo de dietas deben limpiarse regularmente para evitar la acumulación de alimentos rancios, lo que puede aumentar el rechazo a la comida. Para garantizar que el alimento húmedo sea consumido completamente por los cerdos en sistemas de alimentación ad libitum, hay que apagar las válvulas durante períodos de tiempo apropiados (es decir, durante una o dos horas al final de los períodos de máxima actividad). Los equipos de alimentación deben limpiarse y desinfectarse entre los grupos de cerdos para evitar cualquier contaminación cruzada de micotoxinas o patógenos. Hay que implementar procedimientos de higiene más estrictos en el almacenamiento de alimento que tienen condiciones más calientes y húmedas y al utilizar alimentos húmedos, ya que promueven el crecimiento más rápido de los hongos y la multiplicación de patógenos.

Para obtener más información sobre los efectos de las micotoxinas y conocer más sobre las soluciones que pueden ayudar a reducir el riesgo de micotoxinas en su alimento balanceado y hato, visite knowmycotoxins.com/es.

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
Cómo almacenar los alimentos para cerdos
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Hubspot
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2-legacy.js"></script>
<![endif]-->
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2.js"></script>
<script>
hbspt.forms.create({
portalId: "745395",
formId: "f2b3fa68-1214-4648-bc63-84cf2f90d8a5"
});
</script>
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Article Type
<>Image Caption

La gestión de almacenamiento del alimento balanceado en depósitos a granel es importante para evitar que el alimento para cerdos sea contaminado por hongos, insectos y roedores. Los cerdos son particularmente sensibles a las micotoxinas y los productores deben estar atentos para identificar y abordar los riesgos, como la humedad y la acumulación de alimento.

Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre to open world-class research expansion

Submitted by jnorrie on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 10:00

[HELMOND, Netherlands] – Alltech Coppens is pleased to announce the opening of the expansion of its world-class research facility on September 29. The digestibility research facility of the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre (ACAC) has been increased by 50%, which will expand the company’s capacity for product development and aquaculture industry solutions. This expansion reinforces the Alltech Coppens 4 Pillars of Excellence in fish nutrition — Palatability, Performance, Pollution Control and Planet.

More than 20 years of in-depth research has been carried out at the ACAC on methods of promoting fish health and their precise nutritional requirements. This research has provided the basis for the formulation of efficient, high-performing diets and development of feeding strategies, both of which have been instrumental in the success of fish farmers.

“We are presently focused on a new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) feed and this new system will provide more in-depth knowledge about pollution control, especially in RAS diets, and help add profitability for the farmer while lowering our impact on the environment,” said Robin Biermann, manager of the ACAC.

RAS represent complex environments where slight variations in water quality parameters can significantly affect production output. Therefore, RAS feeds for species such as African catfish must conform to more stringent criteria than feeds for any other type of fish farming. Catfish production is widespread in countries including Nigeria, Germany, Austria, Lithuania, The Netherlands and Hungary, with growing domestic markets as well as strong export sales. Nutrient requirements and feeding characteristics of catfish are key to a farm’s performance.

The newest expansion provides us with insights into raw materials that are best suitable for inclusion within our feed range,” said Ronald Faber, CEO and global aquaculture lead of Alltech Coppens.

Alltech Coppens worked with ZEBCARE, a company that has focused on the design and construction of complete aquatic research facilities for over 30 years, to develop this revolutionary new ACAC 7 trial system, which will combine growth and digestibility trials for catfish. This system supports Alltech's vision of a Planet of Plenty™, with the animal feed and agriculture sector serving as the primary driver for substantial progress in maintaining sustainability in aquaculture.

Alltech Coppens will host an official opening of the next-generation digestibility system on September 29 at 2:00 p.m. CEST, providing the unique opportunity to step inside and get a virtual tour of the research centre expansion, insights from a catfish farmer, an overview of the Alltech Coppens 4 Pillars of Excellence in fish nutrition and an interview with Biermann. Register to attend the virtual opening via this link and for further information, visit alltechcoppens.com.

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
Alltech Coppens
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Article Type
<>Image Caption

The Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre digestibility research facility expansion opens on September 29, 2021.

Key facts about African swine fever (ASF)

Submitted by cewert on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 09:29

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly disease that affects domestic and wild pigs regardless of age and sex. ASF cannot be spread to humans and other non-swine animals and livestock and is not a threat to human health. However, humans can carry the virus on their clothing, shoes and equipment and can spread the disease unknowingly.

Historically endemic to African countries, ASF has been spreading rapidly throughout Asia and parts of Europe through 2018 and 2019. What are the symptoms of ASF, what can we do to prevent the disease, and are there any treatment options?

Signs and symptoms of ASF

  • High fever (40.5–42oC)
  • Sudden loss of appetite
  • Hemorrhages on skin and internal organs, particularly lymph nodes
  • Diarrhea, vomiting (sometimes with bloody discharge)
  • Abortion
  • Depression
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sudden death
  • High death loss

While these symptoms are similar to classical swine fever (CSF), ASF is caused by a unique virus that is distinct from CSF. Unusually high mortality rates among pigs of all ages can be a strong indicator of ASF. However, the only way to know for sure which virus pigs might be infected with is through laboratory testing. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above in your herd, contact a vet as soon as you can to ensure that the correct quarantine and treatment are completed. This could help limit the damage on your farm.

Tips to prevent ASF from entering your farm

It is possible to keep ASF out of the farm, even in countries where ASF is endemic. Here are nine prevention measures you can take to avoid ASF.

  1. Implementation of strict importation measures for animal products: Ensure that neither infected live pigs nor pork products are introduced into areas free of ASF. ASF-positive countries can have their animal exportations restricted or prohibited as a result of the detection of infected meat. Check infected regions before importing products that could potentially be contaminated.
  2. Proper disposal of all food waste from aircrafts or ships coming from infected countries. Furthermore, no human food waste should be fed to pigs.
  3. Efficient sterilization and disposal of garbage: Avoid swill feeding (i.e., garbage feeding). Feeding of catering waste is a high-risk practice; if the food waste is contaminated with ASF, it can infect a healthy herd. Do not expose food waste that wild swine species could access. Carcasses, discarded parts from slaughtered pigs and food waste should be disposed of appropriately. 
  4. Rapid slaughtering of all pigs, infected or not (stamping out): Recovered or surviving animals are virus carriers for life. Therefore, to avoid spreading the disease to other pigs and to prevent relapse, it is safer to slaughter both infected and potentially infected pigs. Stamping out tends to be a short-term method to eradicate the disease. Nevertheless, it is generally the most cost-effective method that allows farms to be free from ASF in the shortest time.
  5. Strict on-farm biosecurity: Keep viruses and bacteria out by complying with biosecurity rules, including proper disinfection of clothing and boots, as well as not bringing pork products that have not been properly heat-treated onto a farm. Farms should maintain dedicated footwear and clothing that stay on the farm.
  6. Controlled animal and human movements: Pigs should be sourced from trusted and certified suppliers. Vehicles, equipment and people are also fomites of ASF. Ensure that anyone who enters the farm has not been in contact with any other pigs over the past 48 hours. Farm visitors who have been in countries that are ASF-positive need at least five days of downtime before entering the farm. Vehicles and equipment should be properly cleaned and disinfected before entering the premises. As secretions and excretions from sick or dead animals are a source of ASF, carcass-hauling trucks are high-risk and should not enter the farm.
  7. Disease surveillance and monitoring: This is especially important when transporting live pigs and pork products. In addition, pig farms should maintain a strict health monitoring program. All sick or dead pigs should be inspected and examined for ASF. To detect ASF early, pigs slaughtered for own-home consumption should be inspected by an official veterinarian. Regarding staff training, holding regular prevention lectures and strengthening quality assessments as well as the daily records of feed ingredients is advised.
  8. Efficient and early detection of the virus through laboratory tests: Notify a vet immediately upon spotting signs of ASF, and get the pigs tested.
  9. Strict quarantine protocol: Strict quarantine measures should be applied in both ASF-free zones and infected zones to prevent the entry of the disease and/or to keep ASF from spreading further.

Treatments for ASF

  • Currently, there are no treatments or vaccinations available for this animal disease.
  • Preventative and cautionary measures can be taken to protect animal health.
  • Contact between sick and healthy animals can transmit ASF. Therefore, infected animals must be isolated and culled immediately upon confirmation of ASF.

Did you know?

  • North America and the Oceania region remain the only areas that have never had reported cases of ASF.
  • ASF poses no risk to human health. Humans cannot get infected by ASF.
  • ASF infects domestic and wild pigs, as well as a variety of soft-bodied ticks.
  • Wild boars and warthogs can be carriers of ASF. Make sure they don’t come in contact with domestic pigs.
  • Frozen meat from infected pigs can harbor the virus for up to six months.
  • The ASF virus has been estimated to survive for up to 15 days in feces and five days in urine at 21°C.
  • It takes 30 minutes of cooking at 70oC to deactivate ASF in meat products and 30 minutes at 60°C for serum and body fluids.
  • Curing or smoking pork products does not destroy the virus.
  • ASF can be transferred via feed (Niederwerder, et al., 2019). It is important to work with trusted suppliers and vendors to verify ingredient sources and determine what their biosecurity and quality programs entail.

The importance of feed safety and a favorable health status

Studies have shown that feed can be a carrier of certain harmful pathogens (Dee, et al., 2018). As an added layer of protection, put safeguards in place and utilize feed intervention technologies, such as acidifiers, to support the integrity and quality of your feed.

Acidifiers are known to have beneficial properties that “control bacterial growth in feed, […] inhibiting growth of pathogenic microbes” (Jacela, et al., 2009).

Products such as Guardicate™* have been shown to be effective for promoting feed safety and can be used as an important component of your farm’s greater biosecurity program. Over almost four years of research, Guardicate has shown its effectiveness as an acidifier, as it addresses feed quality concerns by helping maintain a favorable feed environment.

Together with other solutions, like Sel-Plex®, Bioplex® and Actigen®, Alltech’s nutritional technologies provide peace of mind that you are safe from the risks that could negatively impact your production while promoting a positive health status for your animals.

Improper mineral supply can have major consequences for the health and productivity of your herd. Improved mineral status has been shown to have a positive effect on immune function. The Alltech Mineral Management program focuses on feeding organic minerals such as Sel-Plex and Bioplex, which are better absorbed and utilized by the animal and, thus, can meet their nutrient needs for optimal health.

Gut health and the microbiome also play a key role in maintaining the overall health status of the pig. Actigen is able to support immune function, gut microbial health and gut function and development, promoting overall animal health and performance.

*Guardicate is only available in select countries.

References:

Dee, S. A., Bauermann, F. V., Niederwerder, M. C., Singrey, A., Clement, T., de Lima, M., & Petrovan, V. (2018). Survival of viral pathogens in animal feed ingredients under transboundary shipping models. PloS one, 13(3), e0194509. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194509

Jacela, J.Y., DeRouchey, J.M., Tokach, M.D., et al. Feed additives for swine: Fact sheets – acidifiers and antibiotics. J Swine Health Prod. 2009;17(5):270–275. https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v17n5/v17n5p270.pdf

Niederwerder, M. C., Stoian, A., Rowland, R., Dritz, S. S., Petrovan, V., Constan

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
Photo of a pig
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Animal Nutrition Focus Areas

Diverse Weather Setting the Stage for Mycotoxin Risk

Submitted by cewert on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 09:29

If we learned anything from 2020, it is that we cannot control everything. For instance, we can’t control the weather, but we can work to control the mycotoxin risk it presents. Weather is the main influencing factor when it comes to mycotoxin risk, leading to a variation in risk levels across the U.S. This year is no exception to that trend, with mycotoxin levels having a wide distribution in the U.S. corn harvest. Mycotoxins can be responsible for the loss of production and efficiency in our animals — a duo we are not interested in.

What are mycotoxins?

Molds and fungi on crops naturally produce mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are ever-present on-farm but can vary in severity based on feed sources, storage and growing conditions. The three most common types of mycotoxins include Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. Aspergillus is responsible for aflatoxin B1, which can be more abundant with increased drought stress and dry field conditions. Trichothecenes and zearalenone are related to Fusarium. Trichothecenes are common field toxins in grain and silage, and swine are particularly impacted by this mycotoxin because they are considered a more sensitive species to deoxynivalenol (DON). T-2/HT-2 toxins and other trichothecenes are the most toxic for most species, while ochratoxins and citrinin are related to Penicillium. When an animal consumes mycotoxin-contaminated feed, there is risk of reduced production, immune suppression and decreased overall efficiency.

Learn more about mycotoxins at knowmycotoxins.com.

2020 Harvest Analysis

Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech’s mycotoxin and harvest expert, presented his analysis, giving an insider’s view on this year’s crop, during the 2020 U.S. Harvest Analysis.

Crops are influenced by weather as we go through the growing season, leading to regionalized mycotoxin risk based on weather patterns. The Corn Belt had moderate to severe drought conditions throughout the growing season, in addition to wind-storms, which also affected corn crops. The Eastern U.S. saw above-normal rainfall on heat-stressed and dry crops. It should be noted that while the overall risk is normal this year, where the risk is high, it is notably high. These risks can be manageable if we are able to feed the average, which is why we need to do testing to evaluate what the potential maximum levels are.

Mycotoxin risk breakdown by species:

The 120 corn samples that were analyzed by Alltech 37+ contained an average of 5.9 mycotoxins per sample, with 50% of these samples considered moderate- to high-risk and 50% low-risk. While corn in general is relatively low-risk, pockets of high-risk samples could be an increasing concern with lower corn yields. If we are not able to be as selective when feeding corn, we may get into feeding higher-risk corn, or higher-risk feed ingredients may be used to compensate for less corn in the diet.

  • Swine

The mycotoxin risk for sows is moderate to high, specifically related to DON and zearalenone, both of which present risks high enough to impact sow reproduction and performance. Grow-finish pigs are also affected by DON, which can impact gains, gut health and feed efficiency.

"sow mycotoxin risk chart"

  • Poultry

Overall, the samples showed a low to moderate mycotoxin risk for poultry, with the risk increasing the farther East the samples came from. Compared to swine, poultry are projected to have a lower risk from DON, but the risk presented by mycotoxins is still high enough to impact gains/feed efficiency and gut health.

  • Ruminants

The 273 samples of corn with a high moisture content (HMC) included an average of 6.1 mycotoxins per sample, creating a distribution of 60% low-risk and 40% moderate- to high-risk samples. On average, there is a low risk for beef and cattle; while the presence of mycotoxins has the potential to affect performance, overall, this risk is very manageable. Producers in the East and upper Midwest are projected to have the highest risk due to dry conditions followed by heavy rainfall.

The data from 2020 suggests much more prevalent and higher levels of aflatoxin B1, which should be of particular interest to dairymen. Dairy producers should monitor and test for mycotoxins in corn silage, especially if their operations are located in high-risk areas. Additionally, aflatoxin B1 can convert to aflatoxin M1, which can be excreted in the milk, leading to food safety concerns.

"dairy cow mycotoxin risk chart"

Managing mycotoxins

There will always be mycotoxins in feed, but knowing what they are and what risk level they pose is critical to mycotoxin management. The Alltech 37+ mycotoxin analysis test provides a realistic picture of the mycotoxins in feed ingredients or TMRs. This comprehensive test allows for quick diagnosis, effective remediation and planning for future control measures. To learn more about having a 37+ test completed on your farm, please visit the Alltech 37+ mycotoxin page.

Dr. Hawkins recommends testing each time you change your feed or introduce a new feed ingredient in order to properly measure your mycotoxin risk. Going forward, risk levels can change based on fermentation, and we need to watch out for “storage mycotoxins.” There have been forecasts of a dry spring, but the mycotoxin risk is fluid and always changing.

To watch the complete 2020 U.S. Harvest Analysis, click here.

 

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Animal Nutrition Focus Areas
<>Article Type
<>Image Caption

Understand your mycotoxin risk from this years corn harvest is critical for reducing negative effects on production and performance.

Kaliteli kuluçkalık yumurta üretmek için ekonomik verimliliği arttırmak

Submitted by oozulker on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 03:22

Gastrointestinal sistem, genel kuş bağışıklığı ve sağlık durumuyla doğrudan bağlantılıdır ve bağırsak sağlığı zayıfsa performans düşer. Bu nedenle, damızlık stokun bağırsak sağlığını yönetmek zorunludur. Üreme, biyolojik verimlilikle ilişkilendirilebilir; yem, damızlık sürüsü tarafından civcivlere dönüştürülmektedir.

Dolayısıyla, damızlıkların ölüm oranı, düşük doğurganlık derecesi veya kuluçkahanede yumurtadan çıkmamış yumurtalar gibi yem dönüşüm etkinliğine zarar veren her şey kayıp olarak kabul edilebilir. Civcivleri yetiştirmek ve kuluçkadan çıkarmak bir iştir ve bu nedenle kaybın bir bedeli vardır. Civcivlerin üniformitesi, gelişmiş yumurta üretimi ve sürdürülebilir performansın tümü, işletme karlılığını arttırır.

Vücut ağırlığı ve yem verimliliği

Damızlık sürülerde yumurta üretiminin sürdürülebilirliğini ve dolayısıyla kaliteli yavru çıktısını korumak, kanatlı ağırlığının kontrolü ile doğrudan ilişkilidir.

Damızlık etlik piliç sürüleri, yapıları gereği kolayca vücut ağırlığı kazanan kuşlardır. Ancak dişiler çok kilolu olursa, yumurtalık gelişim hiyerarşisi değiştiği için yumurta üretimini sürdüremezler.

Aynı şekilde, erkekler çok kilo alırsa dölleme yetenekleri etkilenebilir. Kilo alımını kontrol etmek için, tavuklar genellikle öğün döngüleri halinde beslenirler, yani bağırsaklar aşırı yüklenme dönemlerinden ve ardından oruç tutma dönemlerinden geçer.

Bu bağırsak sağlığını etkileyebilir. Öğün besleme, tavuklar hızlı beslendiğinden, yani alım hızlı olduğu için sindirim kanalında sorunlara neden olur.

Bu nedenle, gıda akışı hızlıdır, yani üreyen tavuğun yemi verimli bir şekilde sindirmesi ve emmesi için daha az fırsat vardır. Yem tam olarak sindirilmediğinde bağırsaktan çekaya geçer. Körbağırsak, fermantasyon bölgesidir ve oradaki mikrobiyal popülasyona yüksek yoğunluklu besinler sağlamak, onların hızla çoğalmalarını ve toksinler üretmelerini sağlar. Bu genellikle toksik ürünlerin retroperistalsisi yoluyla ince bağırsakta çekum duvarı hasarına ve subklinik enteritise yol açar.

Bunu denemek ve yönetmek için sindirilmemiş yem ve ardından bağırsak sağlığı durumu dışkı yoluyla izlenebilir. Dışkıdaki yem partikülleri, sindirim ve emilim etkinliğini izlemek için kolayca tanımlanabilen bir araçtır. Ancak, eğitimsiz bir göz için bile, dışkıların dokusu ve rengi, tavukların içinde neler olup bittiğini iyi bir şekilde anlayabilir.

Dışkıyı izlemenin bir yolu, dışkıya bakarak sürüdeki değişiklikleri izlemenin kolay kullanımlı ve eğitici bir yolunu sağlayan Alltech'in gübre puanlama uygulamasıdır.

Bağışıklık fonksiyonu ve bağırsak mikrobiyotası

Yukarıda bahsedildiği gibi, bağırsak sağlığı, tavuğun bağışıklık durumunu doğrudan etkiler. Patojenlerin ana giriş kapısı olduğu için, bağışıklık sisteminin %70'inin bağırsak yoluyla çalıştığı tahmin edilmektedir. Yavrular, ilk bağışıklıklarını, yumurtadan geçen maternal antikorların pasif transferi yoluyla kazanırlar. Dolayısıyla, damızlık sürünün bağışıklık durumu, yavruların canlılığını ve erken ölüm oranını doğrudan etkileyecektir.

Ancak bağışıklık sisteminin işleyişi karmaşık bir konudur. Bir çok araştırma makalesi, selenyumun antioksidan özelliklerinin bağışıklığın etkin işlevini sağlamadaki rolünü vurgulamaktadır. Damızlık kuşlar kendilerine ve yavrularına fayda sağlamak için yoğun bir aşılama programından geçerler.

Bununla birlikte, tekrarlanan aşılama immünolojik olarak stresli olabilir ve bu nedenle, sürü üniformitesini korumak için ağırlık ve genel sağlık durumunu korumak zordur.

Aşıdan kaynaklanan yangı veya diğer faktörlerden kaynaklanan stres, kimyasal mesajlar bırakarak bağırsaktaki mikrobiyal popülasyonu doğrudan etkileyecek ve verim ve performansı olumsuz yönde etkileyecektir.

Bu nedenle, bağırsaktaki mikrobiyal popülasyonu veya mikrobiyotayı yönetmek, bağışıklık durumunu ve damızlık kanatlı performansını yönetmeye yönelik önemli bir adımdır. Mikrobiyota hem yemin sindirilebilirliğini hem de bağışıklığı etkiler ve bağırsakta dışkıyla atılan organizmalar kümes florasının hayati bir parçasını oluşturur. Bu flora daha sonra dikey aktarım yoluyla ebeveyn stokundan yavrularına aktarılır.

Kuluçka makineleri temizlenir ve dezenfekte edilir ancak kuluçka sürecinde yumurta kabukları yoluyla kontamine olur. Civcivler yumurtadan çıktıklarında, bağırsakları neredeyse sterildir ve anneden gelen birkaç mikroorganizma bağırsakları kolonize eder.

Ancak kabuklarından koptuklarında dış yüzeydeki herhangi bir organizma civcivin içine geçer ve rekabet eksikliği nedeniyle kolonileşmeye başlar. Mikrobiyota, öncü türlerden baskın kolonilere kadar hem damızlık kuşun hem de civcivlerin yaşamı boyunca birçok aşamadan geçer. Ebeveyn stoku mikrobiyotasının evrimini hızlandırmak ve onu dengeli ve çeşitli bir durumda tutmak, yavrulara aktarılan organizmaların faydalı olmasını sağlayacaktır. Ek olarak, iyi dengelenmiş bir mikrobiyotanın sağlanması, damızlık tavuğun bağışıklık direnci geliştirmesini sağlayarak enerjiyi bağışıklık tepkilerine değil performansa yönlendirmesine izin verecektir.

Antikor transferini en üst düzeye çıkarmak ve yangısal tepkileri azaltmak, verimli bir üreme sürüsü ve kaliteli civcivler üretmeye önemli bir katkıda bulunan faktördür - bunların tümü, yararlı bir florayı teşvik ederek kontrol edilebilir. Peki sağlıklı, çeşitli ve dengeli bir mikrobiyota nasıl üretebiliriz?

Ek, Besle, Ayıkla (Seed, Feed, Weed) Programı

Damızlık stokta küspe tarzı yemlerle besleme, kümese yerleştirildikten hemen sonra başlar. Sonuç olarak, mikrobiyotanın baskın floraya ulaşmasını hızlandırmak hızlı bir şekilde gerçekleşmelidir. Profesör Steve Collett tarafından geliştirilen konsepte dayalı, Alltech Ek, Besle, Ayıkla programı, tüm ticari kanatlı türlerinin mikrobiyotasını gözetmek ve dolayısıyla performanslarını iyileştirmek için uygun maliyetli bir yol tasarlar.

Teori, faydalı öncü floranın gelişimini teşvik etmek için bağırsaklara probiyotik veya rekabetçi bir dışlama ürününün ekimini yapmamız gerektiği yönündedir. Daha sonra faydalı organizmaları Acid-Pak® gibi bir organik asitle besleriz ve Actigen gibi bir ürünle potansiyel olarak patojenik organizmaları ayıklarız. Bunun gibi bir program, 'kötü' mikroorganizmaları dışlarken faydalı organizmaları beslemeye yardımcı olur.

Sağlıklı bir mikrobiyotayı teşvik etmek, kuşa bağışıklık modülasyonu ile yardımcı olur. Amaç, koruyucu yanıtı uyarırken akut faz yanıtını azaltmak, bağışıklık hücrelerinin odak ve dengesini değiştirerek herhangi bir zorluğa etkili bir şekilde tepki verebilmeleridir. Etkili bir biyogüvenlik programının yürürlükte olmasını sağlayarak ve patojenler veya homeostatik stresler gibi yanıt gerektiren dış uyaranları ortadan kaldırarak bağışıklık odağının güçlendirilmesi desteklenebilir. Bu kümes ortamını kontrol ederek başarılabilir. Yine, negatif bağışıklık tepkilerinin etkileri yavrulara aktarıldığı için bu kaliteli kuluçka civcivleri üretmek için çok önemlidir.

Verimli bir mikrobiyota profiline sahipken verimli bir şekilde yumurta üreten bir sürü, doğurganlık ve kuluçka kabiliyeti korunmazsa, üreme sürülerinde önemsizdir. Sürünün selenyum gereksinimlerinin karşılanmasını sağlamak, daha önce tartışıldığı gibi sadece bağışıklık durumuna yardımcı olmakla kalmayacak, aynı zamanda doğurganlığı ve kuluçka kabiliyetini de artıracaktır.

Örneğin, Sel-Plex® sperm konsantrasyonunu arttırdığı ve sperm tübüllerindeki oksidatif stresi azalttığı, üreme verimi yoluyla erkek performansının artmasına yol açtığı gösterilmiştir. Basit beslenme müdahaleleri yoluyla sağlam bir yönetim programı uygulamaya çalışmak, yetiştirici performansını iyileştirmeye yardımcı olabilir ve yavruların kalitesini doğrudan etkileyebilir.

Ek, Besle, Ayıkla programı, mikrobiyota çeşitliliğini ve dengesini geliştirerek kaliteli kuluçkalık yumurtaların üretilmesine yardımcı olabilir.

Yaşayabilir yavrular üretmeyi hedeflerken, dikkate alınması gereken birçok faktör vardır, ancak bağışıklık ve sağlık durumu, hem ebeveyn stoku hem de civcivler üzerinde kritik bir etkiye sahip oldukları için kilit öneme sahiptir. Mikrobiyota ve yapısı, FCR ve bağışıklık gibi tavuğun birçok performans ölçümünü etkileyecektir. Çıplak gözle görülemeseler de, mikrobiyotayı bağırsak sağlığı göstergeleri aracılığıyla izlemek, karlı üretimi teşvik etmenin anahtarıdır.

Tutarlı izleme uygulamaları bir kez uygulandıktan sonra iyileştirmeler yapılabilir ve ölçülebilir. Damızlık sürülerin bağırsak sağlığını iyileştirmenin birçok yolu vardır, ancak ekonomik uygulanabilirlik önemlidir, bu nedenle çözümler sağlam bir yatırım getirisi sunmalıdır. Ek, Besle, Ayıkla programı, kaliteli kuluçka yumurtaları üretmek için damızlık sürülerin hem performansını hem de ekonomik verimliliğini arttırarak bunu yapmanın bir yoludur

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Feature
On
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Article Type
<>Image Caption

Kaliteli kuluçkalık yumurtalar elde etmek, tüm üreme operasyonlarının nihai hedefidir.

Subscribe to Alltech's e-newsletters

header_subscribe_page (1).png

We're delighted to offer a series of species-tailored e-newsletters, and it's simple to sign up using the form below.

<>Hubspot
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2-legacy.js"></script>
<![endif]-->
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2.js"></script>
<script>
hbspt.forms.create({
region: "na1",
portalId: "745395",
formId: "c2f60a4f-e185-4571-be0f-fa0cc1b39347"
});
</script>
<>Accordion

Receiving your stocker or feedlot cattle with ease

Submitted by aledford on Mon, 09/13/2021 - 16:16

The receiving period can be a stressful time for cattle. Recently, during the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference, Dr. Carlo Sgoifo Rossi gave a presentation titled “Receiving With Ease: Minimizing Stress During the Adaptation Phase.” Dr. Sgoifo Rossi is currently an associate professor in the department of veterinary science and technology for food safety at the State University of Milan. Utilizing his perspective and knowledge of the European beef production system, Dr. Sgoifo Rossi shared some information about the various considerations related to stress and adaptation that producers should keep in mind when implementing feeding programs and management practices.

When cattle are undergoing a transition like weaning and receiving, they experience stressors, including:

  • Transportation
  • Interactions with other cattle
  • Interactions with humans
  • Changes in nutrition

These stressors can have a major impact on cattle and can lead to such issues as changes in their immunodeficiency, reduced rumen motility, altered nutrient absorption, increased nutrient requirements and an upsurge of mineral excretion by the kidneys.

Receiving stress can lead to BRD

Regarding immune function, one common but highly concerning issue is bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which can strongly affect the performance of cattle. As illustrated in Figure 1, cattle who arrive and are treated for BRD can exhibit a decrease in average daily gains. It is also important to understand that animals who experience BRD often produce meat with lower marbling and quality grades. Considering all of these factors, mitigating BRD is important not only for the animal’s quality of life but for the producer’s bottom line and the consumer’s satisfaction.

Appropriate sanitary conditions make a difference

While the health of newly arriving animals is impacted by their location of origin, it is also greatly affected by the sanitation and management of the receiving location. According to Dr. Sgoifo Rossi, “The type of vaccination, the type of antibiotics used (and) the type of anti-parasitic product can affect the sanitary conditions of our animals.” Dr. Sgoifo Rossi encouraged producers to approach sanitation with an understanding of their specific herd and facilities and posited that, for some beef production systems, the strategy of going “all-in and all-out with cleaning and disinfection” is the best approach.

Nutrition is critical in the cattle business

When talking about management, we must be sure to properly feed and rehydrate the cattle upon arrival. Ensuring that clean drinking water is readily available and being conscious of the arrival diet are both crucial. Feeding the arrival diets in small amounts multiple times a day is recommended, as this will reduce competition among the animals, giving each of them an opportunity to receive adequate amounts of protein and energy. Arriving cattle can sometimes be considered high risk, making this a critical period for helping them recover properly and get back to normal rumen functionality.

Studies have shown that the appropriate arrival diet should have a crude protein and dry matter composition of less than 13%.

“Several studies show that if we improve the crude protein level of adaptation diets or the energy level of adaptation diets, we increase not only the incidence of morbidity but also the severity of morbidity and, consequently, the risk of mortality,” Dr. Sgoifo Rossi said.

Additionally, with the arrival diet typically being richer in forage and higher in fiber, reducing the chop length of the fiber will also reduce the likelihood that animals will sort through the ration. This is important, because sorting can cause cattle to eat too much starch or protein, which can lead to fluctuations in the pH level.

Consider all of the nutritional needs of arriving cattle

Unsurprisingly, it is also important to consider the nutrients available in the arrival diet. Providing new-arrival animals with the proper nutrients will improve their immunity, digestibility, and energy and protein balances.

To recover rumen and immune system functionality in newly arrived cattle, it is important to consider diets that include the following:

  • High levels of digestible fiber
  • Yeast
  • Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS)
  • Slow-release nitrogen
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals

As mentioned previously, the arrival period is so critical for getting cattle right. Vitamins, minerals and other supplements can help improve their feed and can be fundamental in helping these cattle adapt to their new home. In his presentation, Dr. Sgoifo Rossi mentioned that studies have shown that organic zinc and selenium, live yeast and mannan oligosaccharides can be huge players in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in these potentially high-risk cattle.

Too often, producers and nutritionists underestimate the importance of these ingredients, leading to negative results. Dr. Sgoifo Rossi shared a study completed in Italy that examined the mineral status and mineral plasma levels of cattle after arrival. This trial focused on the evaluation of various mineral levels in the blood immediately after arrival. As shown in Figure 2, 83% of new-arrival beef cattle were in a deficient or sub-deficient condition regarding their copper availability, and 30% displayed deficient or sub-deficient zinc availability and reserves.

Weather can be a stressor

Weather can play a significant role in cattle stress, and more thoughtful management practices should be implemented with the weather in mind. Spring, summer and fall are less of a concern when it comes to sanitation management, but winter is a critical period for sanitation. Producers often forget to consider the relationship between temperature and humidity during the winter and how it can lead to cold stress. This can create a potentially dangerous environment for cattle and can result in increased incidences and more severe cases of BVD. As shown in Figure 3, low-temperature, high-humidity environments can create a risk area where sanitation conditions are an issue, leading to a slower adaptation for arriving animals.

As previously mentioned, there are challenges leading up to and during the receiving period that can result in the highest risks of morbidity and mortality. Implementing the proper sanitation and vaccination protocols, providing sick animals with antibiotics, being proactive about their nutrition, and understanding which management practices to use based on the origin of your cattle, as well as their transportation details and the time of year, are all effective ways to mitigate any potential challenges associated with receiving cattle.

 

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle.

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
Feedlot cattle
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Hubspot
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2-legacy.js"></script>
<![endif]--><script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2.js"></script><script>
hbspt.forms.create({
portalId: "745395",
formId: "e4b8cd32-e447-42d0-8665-673f8d56b8fe"
});
</script>
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Animal Nutrition Focus Areas
<>Article Type
<>Products
<>Content Author

Dr. Saheed Salami

Dr. Saheed Salami is a research fellow at Alltech. He is based in Stamford, U.K., and serves on the company’s Solutions Deployment Team. Dr. Salami utilizes his multidisciplinary expertise in animal nutrition and environmental science to develop customer-focused and data-driven solutions for improving the productivity and sustainability of animal protein systems.

Dr. Salami has international experience in leading research and handling technical responsibilities related to sustainable animal nutrition and food quality. In 2021, he was appointed to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a member of its Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on methane for the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership.

Dr. Salami received a double doctoral degree in agricultural, food and environmental science from the University of Catania in Italy and University College Cork in Ireland. He also received a double master’s degree in sustainable animal nutrition and feeding from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands and Ecole d’Ingénieurs de Purpan in France.

<>Job Title
Research Fellow, Solutions Deployment Team, Alltech

<>Profile Picture
Dr. Saheed Salami
<>Attachments

3 ways to increase milk production while reducing your carbon footprint

Submitted by aledford on Mon, 09/13/2021 - 09:34

In the dairy industry, successfully implementing solutions that “kill two birds with one stone” requires innovation and usable data. Finding ways to reduce the carbon footprint on dairy cattle operations while also maintaining high milk production is just that kind of situation.

It is important to understand that dairy production is on a continuous path of growth. Some insightful data provided by the IFCN shows that global milk production is projected to increase by 35% between 2017 and 2030. This level of growth is promising for the industry but will also present many challenges and raise questions about our ability to provide more with fewer resources while adopting practices that are environmentally sound. To top everything off, all of this must be achieved while also continuing to increase transparency for consumers about how their milk is produced.

The main question is: Can we reduce the carbon footprint of milk while also improving our production and profitability?

Greenhouse gases have been a trending topic among consumers for several years, and this topic is now resonating more with dairy farmers across the world, as new regulations and initiatives are being presented. To achieve reduced emissions, we must look at ways to optimize production — including via nutritional solutions, which will play a very big role as we go forward.

Dairy producers can utilize nutritional solutions as tools for reducing methane emissions from dairy cows, but technologies that offer environmental benefits cannot compromise on animal performance, as doing so would mean requiring more animals to meet the growing demand for food. However, before looking to implement any of these solutions, dairy producers will need to measure their carbon footprint.

TOOL ONE: Alltech E-CO2

To successfully reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we must first know where these emissions come from. Analytical services, such as Alltech E-CO2, identify and quantify these hotspots through accredited environmental assessments. Over the past 10 years and more than 10,000 assessments, Alltech E-CO2 has found that the two largest sources of emissions on dairy farms are enteric emissions (i.e., methane from the rumen) and feed use. Together, these two sources contribute more than 60% of all emissions on dairy operations. These sources relate to rumen health and an animal’s ability to best maximize the feed it is being fed. By ensuring the production of a healthy and productive cow, we are helping operations improve their production efficiency while also enabling energy to be utilized for milk production and regular body maintenance, rather than being wasted by fighting health challenges. This type of information is critical for identifying targeted solutions that will enhance our methane mitigation strategies.

To successfully reduce a farm’s carbon footprint, we must look beyond one gas in one area and consider the balance of emissions across the entire farm. A lifecycle observation is one way of doing that, and it’s all about identifying opportunities to reduce waste and improve farm efficiency, which will translate to more money for the producer.

Learn more about Alltech E-CO2 here.

Read on to learn more about two nutritional solutions that work to target the areas where there is room for improvement, as identified by Alltech E-CO2.

TOOL TWO: Optigen®

Optigen is a feed ingredient backed by years of robust research data that works to support production efficiency and sustainability. Optigen, a concentrated source of non-protein nitrogen, releases nitrogen into the rumen in a slow-release form. This provides a sustained release of ammonia in the rumen in sync with fermented carbohydrate digestion, thus allowing for efficient microbial protein synthesis in the rumen.  

In order to gather clear evidence that shows how we can use feed strategies to reduce our carbon footprint, the FAO developed a standard guideline for the environmental performance of feed additives in the livestock supply chain. These standards recommend the use of data from meta-analyses and life cycle analyses. Meta-analyses make it possible to combine data from years of multiple studies to arrive at an evidence-based conclusion by using comprehensive statistical procedures. Life-cycle analyses allow us to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions along the entire supply chain or in the production cycle of a particular product. Combining these two approaches demonstrates how feeding technologies can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or better sustainability credentials.

"dairy optigen"

Included here is an example of a meta-analysis of Optigen. The data from this meta-analysis indicate that, over the course of around two decades, research has shown that using Optigen is associated with a 23% reduction, on average, of plant protein sources in the diet. Soybean meal, specifically, can be reduced by about 21%, and an increase in feed efficiency of around 3% has also been documented. Additionally, diets that include Optigen and use reduced amounts of plant protein sources have been shown to improve nitrogen utilization efficiency by 4%, leading to a 14% reduction in the total carbon footprint of the diets of animals used in milk production.

 Read the full meta-analysis here.

TOOL 3: Yea-Sacc®

There are some products on the market — like yeast cultures — that can help improve production efficiency while also reducing the carbon footprint of an operation. Yea-Sacc is a yeast culture based on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain of yeast. Yea-Sacc modifies rumen activity by supporting a consistent improvement in the growth and activity of lactic acid-utilizing bacteria, which helps stabilize the rumen pH. At the same time, it also works to improve the digestion and utilization of nutrients. Thanks to these types of improvements, cows can absorb more nutrients for higher milk production.

Utilizing a meta-analysis approach once again, a collection of 31 studies has shown that feeding Yea-Sacc to dairy cows can lead to an increased milk yield of 1 kg/head/day, on average, and can reduce the carbon footprint and nitrogen emission intensity by around 3% and 5.4%, respectively. These numbers demonstrate that it is possible for milk production efficiency to increase and for the carbon footprint and nitrogen excretion intensity to decrease simultaneously.

Explore the additional benefits of Yea-Sacc here.

At the beginning of this blog, we posed a question: Can we reduce the carbon footprint of milk while also improving our production and profitability? With proven tools like the ones outlined here, the answer to that question is yes: It is possible to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy production and to improve our economic returns and performance at the same time. Based on the data compiled in various meta-analyses, it is clear that there are feeding solutions on the market that farmers can use to reduce their emissions and increase their productivity and profitability in conjunction with nutritional strategies that will help improve production efficiency in dairy systems.

 

I want to learn more about nutrition for my dairy.

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
Dairy milk production
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Hubspot
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2-legacy.js"></script>
<![endif]--><script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2.js"></script><script>
hbspt.forms.create({
portalId: "745395",
formId: "2c5ba201-30c0-4669-9dc4-c9711ca1b006"
});
</script>
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Animal Nutrition Focus Areas
<>Article Type
<>Products
<>Regions
<>Topics
<>Programs and Services
<>Content Author

Unlock the potential of feedlot rations for beef cattle

Submitted by aledford on Mon, 09/13/2021 - 09:21

Feed is expensive — especially the grains that serve as the major energy source in most finishing rations for beef cattle. With this expense on the rise, nutritionists work hard to make sure that their feedlot rations for beef cattle are high-quality feeds that support weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. 

Energy is a key element to consider when developing a feed to promote weight gain in beef cattle. Both grains and forages contain energy that is useful when finishing beef cattle. Grains are considered high-energy feeds because the energy in grains comes largely from starch. Starch is composed of glucose chains, which can easily be broken down by rumen microorganisms. The structural components of forage — such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin — surround the nutrients with complex linkages. Rumen microbes can’t always break these linkages, however, limiting the availability of energy in the forage. This is particularly true for feedlot cattle, as the ruminal pH of feedlot cattle is less than optimal for fibrolytic microorganisms, resulting in reduced fiber digestion.

When thinking of these structural components, imagine them as locks protecting the energy and nutrients in feedstuffs. Enzymes — which are either endogenous, from the microbial population, or the exogenous enzymes in feed additives — can break apart these protective structural components, unlocking both the potential of feeds and the potential of the cattle being fed.

Enzymes can make a difference in finishing cattle

The scientific literature shows inconsistent results for enzyme use in beef cattle diets. However, this is likely due to the wide variety of enzymes that have been tested, the vast array of feedstuffs that have been used in experimental diets, and the kind of data that has been recorded. For example, cattle grazing cool-season versus tropical grasses have different enzymatic needs, because those grasses have different chemical compositions. The same goes for cattle consuming corn silage versus barley-based finishing diets. This is especially true in diets that utilize byproducts, as the most easily accessible nutrients have generally already been extracted by the initial industry that processed the material.

  • Starch-based diets: Corn, barley
  • Forage-based diets: Corn silage, barley silage, hay and grasses
  • Byproducts in diets: Corn gluten meal, distillers grains, cottonseed hulls, etc.

The rumen is a complex, enzyme-rich environment. The microbes of the rumen can break down most components of foods — but the extent and speed of this breakdown is often a limiting factor for nutrient release. A common question when discussing rumen efficiency is: Can a small enzyme addition really make a change in rumen function and feed digestion?

For an enzyme to be effective, several factors need to be met:

  • It must fill a gap in feed digestion not met by the existing microbiota.
  • The type of linkage it opens must be present in the feed.
  • The enzyme needs to be stable in stored and mixed feed.
  • The enzyme must be active at rumen temperature and pH.
  • It must be able to survive in the feed.

Returning to the lock-and-key metaphor about enzymes, any enzyme added to a diet must fit the “locks” on the components of that diet.

How do you measure enzyme efficacy in finishing cattle?

Measuring the effects and value of enzymes can be tricky. Often, researchers expect an increase in the rate or extent of digestion for a particular diet component — and sometimes, they are right. Other times, however, the enzyme acts in an unanticipated way, such as changing the rate of passage to promote feed intake, shifting the metabolites available to microbes in the rumen, or even affecting downstream metabolic processes. If researchers are not measuring these actions, they may conclude that the enzyme had no effect, when in reality, they were simply looking in the wrong direction and missed the action of the enzyme. As such, in enzyme research, it is important to look beyond intake, weight gain and feed conversion and to measure a wide range of parameters to fully capture the effects and mechanisms of a given enzyme. 

Outside of the scientific realm, it’s important to recognize what you expect an enzyme to do when it is added to the diet. Here are a few common reasons for utilizing enzymes:

  • By incorporating enzymes into your finishing rations for beef cattle, you may be able to utilize lower-cost ingredients in the diet while still experiencing equal performance.
  • Enzymes can help improve feed efficiency in feedlot cattle without making any other changes to the diet.
  • Getting more pounds on your animals can be possible with enzymes. Certain enzymes can support superior carcass weight. More pounds per day = more dollars.
  • Some enzymes reduce digesta viscosity, which can contribute to better post-ruminal nutrient absorption and support digestive health. Get the most out of your rations.

Look at your cattle’s diet and your goals for your operation. Could enzymes help you reach those goals?

There are enzyme options available — just know your goals

Most research on cattle focuses on tweaking existing procedures, feeding plans, etc. Researching enzymes takes years of trial and error, on both the benchtop and in the animal, to find effective, cost-efficient, scalable options. This type of research is slow but generates the knowledge that can lead to new insights and technologies that allow us to maximize feed efficiency in feedlot cattle. New enzymes are popping up regularly. If you choose to utilize these additives in your feedlot rations, be sure that they are effective on the ration ingredients you use and will provide the results you want in your operation. Consult with your nutritionist or an Alltech representative below to learn more about how enzymes can work in your operation.

 

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle.

<>Premium Content
Off
<>Featured Image
Feedlot cattle
<>Date
<>Featured Image License
Off
<>Hubspot
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2-legacy.js"></script>
<![endif]--><script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/v2.js"></script><script>
hbspt.forms.create({
portalId: "745395",
formId: "e4b8cd32-e447-42d0-8665-673f8d56b8fe"
});
</script>
<>Feature
Off
<>Primary Focus Area
<>Animal Nutrition Focus Areas
<>Article Type
<>Regions
<>Programs and Services
<>Content Author

Feed & Additive: How do we verify sustainable animal feed in ruminant production?

Submitted by jnorrie on Sun, 09/12/2021 - 11:23

People interpret sustainability in different ways. Hence the uncertainty and divisiveness the topic can create in discussions. In contrast with other industries, the agri-food sector has the unique position of being a solution provider when it comes to mitigating emissions and supporting biodiversity in our local environments. Animal feed is integral to profitable and efficient dairy and beef farming. Therefore, feed production has a crucial role in how we lower the environmental impact associated with the food system.

Loading...