Megalac
Megalac is a combination of palm fatty acids and calcium. The calcium protects the fatty acids from breaking down in the rumen, so they pass intact to the lower gut for digestion.It is the protection of the energy source from rumen breakdown, combined with the highly digestible nature of the energy supply that explains why Megalac has the highest measured NEL value of any feed ingredient.What are the benefits to the producer?
The benefits are based on the results of 17 university trials on the product:
- Increases milk yield +2.27l/cow/day
- Improves fertility +25% conception to 1st service
- Decreases risk of acidosis 0.38 rumen pH improvements
- Useful for manipulating milk quality
- Improved Body Condition Score
How is Megalac used?
- Megalac is to be fed at a rate of 0.5 to 0.75kg/cow/day in the post-calving ration. This should be introduced gradually to help the cow/heifer acclimatise to the new ingredient.
- When being fed pre-partum, it should be introduced gradually over the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. As Megalac contains 9% calcium, it is important to ensure the mineral balance is correct.
Sodium Bi Caarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate is, by far, the most widely used and cost effective Rumen Buffer.
The benefits of feeding Sodium Bicarbonate to Ruminants:
Optimal rumen function is essential in order to maximise performance as well as allowing maximum utilisation of low cost forages. Rumen function can be impaired by feeding high cereal rations, acidic silages, short chop forage and starchy forages which in turn can lead to impaired digestion, reduced intakes and poor performance (e.g. reduced butterfat). Feeding Sodium Bicarbonate assists the saliva in its buffering capacity, thus reducing the risk of large drops in rumen pH which can lead to acidosis. This is practically demonstrated with:
- Improved forage intakes
- Effective fibre digestion
- Higher milk yields
- Enhanced milk quality, increased butterfat
- Improved feed conversion and liveweight gain
- Typical Analysis (Dry Matter Basis except DM)
- Dry Matter 99%
- Sodium 27%
DAIRY DIRECT also supply the well known brand of Sodium Bicarbonate – Alkakarb. If you would like to place an order for Alkakarb, then please specify this at the time of order.
Feeding
In ruminant animals, the correct digestion of dietary intake is essential in achieving maximum output. The conditions in the rumen are continually challenged by the different feeds offered. Sodium Bicarbonate offers one alternative to reaching optimum rumen pH by helping to neutralise the
acidic conditions typically caused by feeding high lactic acid silages and/or excess rapidly rumen fermented carbohydrates. It can be controlled by feeding at an appropriate rate of up to 250 grams per head per day of Sodium Bicarbonate.
