ADDING a calcified seaweed-based rumen buffer to cereal diets fed to intensive beef cattle at Harper Adams University College has increased daily liveweight gains and boosted gross margins by £20 per head.
From a start weight of 280kg, Belgian Blue x Holstein and Charolais x Holstein cattle fed cereal-based ration plus the natural rumen buffer, Acid Buff, put on an extra 0.1kg per day over the 180-day trial period.
Total feed intake for the buffer-fed animals averaged 1443kg per head at a feed conversion rate of 6.2 compared with 1662kg at 6.98 for the control group.
"Work like this shows that when the ionophore feed additive ban is implemented in 2006 there will still be options for intensive beef producers to improve rumen function, reduce the risk of bloat and improve feed conversion rate," said Simon Marsh, from Harper Adams.
He added: "With cereal prices dropping to around £64 a tonne and signs of the beef price improving, this type of production system still has profit potential even after the removal of the Slaughter Premium and Beef Special Premium."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article