Feeding chilli pepper in the ration could help boost dry matter intakes by up to 15%, according to Sergio Calsamiglia from the University of Barcelona.
In fact, feeding capsicum, a plant extract found in chilli peppers, was found to produce a different pattern of dry matter intakes, which contributed to reducing the likelihood of rumen acidosis.
"In our trial, capsicum increased dry matter intakes by 9%, but other work has identified an increase of between 7 and 15%."
You would expect higher dry matter intakes to cause a reduction in rumen pH, however, in the trial, pH never dropped below 5.5.
"Intakes after milking were lower on the capsicum treatment compared with the control, but over the day, intakes were more consistent, explaining how rumen pH was controlled."
Although this study was carried out on beef animals, Dr Calsamiglia said the treatment would be applicable for dairy producers, particularly in transition cows when maximising intakes was crucial.
"A 10% increase in dry matter intakes could equate to a 2-2.5kg increase a cow a day which is highly significant."
Capsicum has also been shown to alleviate heat stress in humans and animals, increasing performance and feed intakes.
The role of plant extracts are marked, with a combination of cinnamaldehyde (from cinnamon) and eugenol (found in cloves) shown to drive rumen metabolism efficiency by increasing efficient use of energy and protein.
• For more from the Dairy Event and the Livestock Show click here