Calgary-based feed additive innovator CBS Bio Platforms is trumpeting the feed efficiency benefits of its newly released Optimax E enzyme-based bio-catalyst, as it appeals to dairy farmers’ goals of achieving carbon-neutral status.
Given recent implementation by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario of a revised formula to pay for solids-not-fat (SNF), producers may also be interested in study results on the product’s potential impact on SNF ratios.
Why it matters: If similar results to the Mexican trial can be achieved on commercial dairies in Ontario, the product has potential impact on dairy farm profits.
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“These are very exciting results that come at an opportune time,” said CBS Bio nutrition and technical service manager Sabrina Zettell in a July 19 news release. She cited the 24-day trial in a 380-cow Holstein herd in Mexico that was fed a total mixed ration akin to those used in much of Canada and the United States.
“The results show biocatalyst technology has excellent potential as a tool that dairy farms can rely upon to optimize production efficiency and move toward net zero goals.”
In an interview with Farmtario, Zettell said Optimax E is approved for use in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and parts of Asia. The company says early adopters are adding the bio-catalyst to dairy rations in Ontario but declined to disclose which farms.
Zettell said Optimax E, in development for approximately six years, is primarily a fibrolytic enzyme typically present in fungi, bacteria and protozoans and known for aiding in the decomposition of cellulose.
She stressed that the product is also effective in speeding digestion of starches and non-polysaccharide carbohydrates.
“The initial trial work was done with the University of Manitoba and later (U.S.-based) Cumberland Valley and Honeyland Ag,” she said. “As product development continued, we utilized the University of Guelph as well.”
The recent on-farm trial saw 20 grams per day of Optimax E added for 24 days to the ration of 380 Holsteins averaging 175 days in milk and being milked three times per day, on a ration of corn silage and alfalfa haylage. Cows were monitored for lactation performance, milk components and dry matter intake, with efficiency and return on investment calculated based on those numbers.
“The study utilized pre-trial performance data (from the period leading up to the feeding trial) as control data,” the news release said. “The bio-catalyst treatment was then removed from the diet and performance data was collected for an additional 24-day post-trial period.”
Zettell says the product is “easy to use, either in a manufactured pellet or mash supplement from a feed mill or directly mixed into the TMR on farm. It’s a dry product, easy to handle and store,” with possible use as a top-dress or mixed in the ration.
Results from the trial showed increases in dry matter intake, milk production and efficiency on a fat-corrected milk basis. The herd averaged more than two additional litres of milk per head per day after supplementation and fat-corrected milk went from 35.5L to 37.58L.
“When feed efficiency was calculated as litres of milk per kilogram of dry matter intake, this too was improved significantly, both during and after the trial period,” Zettell said in a YouTube video posted to the CBS Bio Platforms website.
Two other trial results stand out.
“Importantly, these improvements were not only achieved during the treatment period but also carried over during the post-trial period,” the news release said. “In fact, milk production and efficiency were not only maintained but continued to improve post-treatment.”
Zettell says this may be due “to the impact of the treatment in positively altering the rumen microbial population.”
In a company YouTube video, she highlights the changes in milk components observed during the trial.
“Fat per cent was increased, protein per cent was decreased, and overall lactose remained unchanged,” she reported.
“Solids-not-fat ratio, therefore, was also significantly improved. And for provinces where this is a concern, this could be a tool to help manage high SNF in some of those herds.”
CBS Bio Platforms aims to expand the use of Optimax E beyond conventional cattle dairy.
“A recent trial just finished on meat lambs and we are currently reviewing the data,” Zettell told Farmtario.
“I’m hopeful there will be organic approval (for the product) in the near future as it would drastically help improve feed efficiency in situations where (options for) ingredients are limited.”
