Researchers develop a feed intake-regulating supplement for cattle.
A research team from INTA Colonia Benítez, Chaco, Argentina; developed a product that helps regulate feed intake in beef cattle bred under extensive productions systems.
The product that has been developed helps to:
- reduce intake levels across all categories,
- reduce logistics costs,
- optimize forage utilization in the field,
- and improves profitability.
As part of an established agreement, INTA has licensed a company for the manufacturing and commercialization of the supplement.
Geographical context
Cattle breeding in northern Argentina poses inherent complexities. In these extensive production systems, the predominant forage consists of grasslands that often fall short of meeting the nutritional needs of growing categories at specific times of the year. Consequently, supplementation becomes necessary to attain the desired objectives in more efficient systems.
“The supplementation technique has numerous advantages,” acknowledged José Rosello, a specialist in subtropical animal production at INTA Colonia Benítez.
“The researcher explained that by utilizing this technology, it becomes possible to achieve objectives like initiating the breeding process of replacement heifers at two years of age. This ensures proper development and enhances system efficiency by up to 25% compared to variables such as pregnancy rate, especially in systems with more advanced ages for the first breeding service.
Rosello provided further details, explaining that the animal nutrition team has dedicated years to the characterization of products and by-products from the industry. Their objective has been to identify the strengths and weaknesses of these materials to optimize their effectiveness in supplementation techniques. Distribution has always been a crucial aspect in their research. Hence, reducing the frequency of feed delivery and understanding the feed’s characteristics has been a challenging task, aiming to streamline distribution logistics in extensive systems and enhance overall practices.”
During the winter season, the research team conducted experiments using chemical consumption regulators. These regulators enabled consumption levels below 0.7% of the animals’ body weight, with reduced daily fluctuations, while not impacting pasture intake. The outcome of these trials was weight gains of 400 grams per animal per day.
“Through years of dedication and fruitful public-private collaboration, we successfully developed a feed that possesses the essential attributes of self-limitation in voluntary intake of the ration. This accomplishment enables supplementation below 1% while ensuring suitable weight gains for growing cattle categories.” Rosello emphasized.
Technology and manufacturing agreement
Under a technology transfer agreement, the company will undertake the manufacturing and marketing of a consumption-regulating feed supplement for cattle, developed by INTA. This supplement will be available for both domestic and international markets.
This shared achievement has numerous benefits, including:
- cost reductions in infrastructure
- optimization of forage utilization in the field
- reduced logistics and production costs
An achievement born from a long trajectory
Over the course of several years, the research team at INTA Colonia Benítez, Chaco, dedicated their efforts to characterizing locally sourced feedstuffs. Their aim was to comprehend how these ingredients perform in different feeding strategies, including supplementation. The primary objective was to attain levels that enable adequate growth in the target categories, ultimately reducing the age at which animals can achieve reproductive maturity. This objective holds fundamental significance in breeding systems.
Based on these studies, widespread adoption of this technology was achieved, followed by advancements in feeds that enable better performance for animal growth and development, not only during periods of poor-quality pasture but also during low-production periods.
Source: Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca | Argentina.gob.ar
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