Pre-treating beef rations with a Trichoderma reesei-derived fungal extract can increase average daily gain (ADG) by up to 13.4% without any increase in dry matter intake (DMI), according to a recent trial at Agri-Research Center in Texas.
The study used two groups of 90 Aberdeen Angus-cross heifers fed the same ration either with or without application of the ration pre-treatment VistaPre-T. Improvements in ADG were greatest during the first 30 days of the trial (+13.4%), with the entire 60-day growing period showing a 5.9% gain. Treatment continued through finishing until day 180, resulting in cattle that were on average 11kg heavier at slaughter.
“With no significant increases in DMI, it’s clear that the additional growth performance was coming directly from better digestion and utilisation of the ration,” states Dr Nicola Walker, AB Vista’s Global Ruminant Technical Manager. “Measured feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved by similar percentages, ranging from 4.0% for the entire grower-finisher period to 11.6% for the first 30 days.”
Ration pre-treatment works by roughening and creating pits in the surface of the fibre prior to ingestion. This increases the rate and extent of colonisation by fibre-digesting rumen microbes, reducing the lag time before breakdown in the rumen begins and improving overall fibre digestibility.
“Fibre is an important energy source in beef rations, even in high-starch finishing diets,” Dr Walker continues. “However, the rumen digestibility of the plant cell walls that make up most of that fibre is typically less than 65%, and when rumen conditions are compromised – such as during bouts of acidosis – can be as low as 35%.
“This trial highlights just how much extra performance can be extracted from the same feed when fibre digestibility is improved, such as by applying a pre-treatment like VistaPre-T. The result is a significant gain in FCE and ADG across the entire growing and finishing period, improving both margins and overall profitability.”
For more information, contact AB Vista on +44(0)1672 517 650 or info@abvista.com.
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Notes to editor:
AB Vista is an animal nutrition technology company offering pioneering products and technical services to the global animal feed industry. Since its establishment in 2004, AB Vista has grown to be a top-three player in feed enzymes and is also one of the largest suppliers of natural betaine to the global animal nutrition industry. The company invests heavily in research and development and has a growing portfolio of products and services spanning the poultry, swine, ruminant and aquaculture sectors. AB Vista is headquartered in the UK, with regional offices located in the USA, Brazil, Singapore, Spain, India, China, Germany and Finland.
AB Vista is part of AB Agri, the agricultural division of Associated British Foods, one of Europe’s largest food & retail companies with a market capitalisation of £22 billion.
For further press information please contact Sonya Hayden or Mike Keeler on +44 (0)20 8647 4467.
ABV GB/040/17
