most grains, 90% or more of the starch is generally fermented in the rumen. The starch that escapes fermentation and flows to the small intestine may be more resistant to enzymatic digestion. On average, 35% to 60% of starch entering the small intestine is degraded there. However, when it comes to maize and sorghum, it’s different. Due to a slower rate of starch digestion, up to 40% of maize starch can occasionally be found to escape fermentation in the rumen. This should be considered since the capacity of the ruminant small intestine to digest large amounts of starch has been questioned, as a consequence of the low levels of pancreatic amylase, intesti- nal maltase, and isomaltase, but also because of low glucose absorption. Physical treatments impact the cost of diets but can increase starch fermentation in the rumen and digestibil- ity in the intestine. The most frequent treatments are grind- ing, pelleting, dry or steamrolling, steam flaking, extrusion, popping, and fermentation.
Phytogenic feed additives in beef cattle Besides good management and a well-balanced diet, one of the best ways to reduce feed costs and improve the feed efficiency of feedlot cattle is to use phytogenic feed additives. Substances such as saponins, essential oils and spices improve feed efficiency and, therefore, performance in beef cattle. The unique formulation of Actifor Power has considerable impact on beef cattle performance since the phytogenic ingredients in its composition reduce the starch degradation rate in the rumen and stimulate saliva production. These two actions combined contribute to stabilising the physiological conditions of the rumen. It can also optimise intestinal starch digestion, improve bypass starch utilisation, improve the energy efficiency of
beef cattle diets, and reduce losses through faeces. Table 1 illustrates the beneficial effects of this innovative phytogenic solution on fibre and starch digestibility parameters. The conversion of feed energy to final product is an essential de- terminant of the profitability of meat production. One of the major sources of variation in the conversion of feed energy to net energy (NE) in beef cattle is the extent of feed digestibili- ty. Thus, phytogenic feed additives improve feed digestibility, and therefore feed conversion ratio (FCR, -0.07) and average daily gain (ADG, +114g) as shown in Figure 1. Due to their positive impact on rumen function and animal welfare and performance, phytogenic feed additives are expected to be a relevant tool in ruminant nutrition, featuring profitable natural animal production.
References available upon request.
Figure 1 - Actifor Power trial with 139 Charolais young bulls for 290 days (Italy, 2016).
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Control Actifor® Power
7 6.9 6.8 6.7 6.6 6.5 ADG (g/day) ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 8, 2021 FCR 25 Effect: –0.07
Control Actifor® Power
Besides good management and a well-bal- anced diet, one of the best ways to reduce feed costs and im- prove the feed efficiency of feedlot cattle is using phytogen- ic feed additives.
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