New feed additive offers cost and milk yield benefits
A new feed additive is proven to reduce feed costs, while boosting milk yield and quality.
When included in dairy rations the additive Novatan improves dietary protein utilisation.
The product, which has been launched into the UK by French nutrition company Techna, is available to feed manufacturers through the distributor Premier Nutrition.
In European dairy trials, the additive has increased milk yields by around 1.5kg/day and protein quality by 0.1%.
Farmers can either add it on top of rations as a performance boost or reduce feed costs by lowering the protein content and using Novatan as a substitute.
Martin Daly, from Techna, says the enhanced protein use ensures performance is maintained.
“Novatan enables more of the protein to be utilised by the cow. This improves performance and also prevents high levels of urea accumulating in blood and milk, which is known to be detrimental to fertility,” he adds.
Premier Nutrition’s ruminant division director, Dr Andrew Pine, says the high cost of feed, particularly protein, means the product will be a welcome relief to dairy farmers struggling to keep production costs under control.
“The potential benefit to a farm’s carbon footprint, should also not be ignored, and should be of particular interest to all dairy companies.”