ProAgni collaborated with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland (DAFQ) with support from Riverina Stockfeeds and NOVUS International, to trial our stabilised in-feed Megasphaera elsdenii probiotic for accelerated induction from grass to grain feeding .
This project leveraged technology and data to gain deeper insights into how our probiotic solutions influence and manipulate the rumen microbiome. We measured the impact on the rumen microbial diversity and energy production, and found that with nutrition solutions, microbial diversity was significantly different and more abundant, relative to a diet containing ionophores. With our stabilised in-feed Megasphaera elsdenii probiotic, we were able to safely transition beef cattle from grass to 80% grain ration in 3 days, without any acidosis or animal health implications. This was a 80% reduction from the standard 15 day transition step-up from grass to grain.
Matt Becker was the Technical Director for NOVUS International’s Asia-Pacific region. For him, Matt said, “Probably the most exciting aspect of this trial is the fact that we can bring stock onto feed a little earlier so you’ve got both a production and a performance benefit there but really from an animal welfare point of view… the animals get through unscathed.”
David Hunter, the Managing Director for Riverina Stockfeeds, said, “Setting up a trial like this really does help Riverina get to the forefront of the R&D space in our part of the world.” David is most excited about the decreased induction time in introducing livestock to ProAgni products.
