The role of challenges and innovation in the sector
Optimising the use of resources and increasing efficiency has gained importance in the dairy industry recently. The events of the past few years, such as the economic crisis, inflation, hectic weather conditions and the volatility of feed ingredient prices had a significant effect on the dairy industry.
Innovation plays an important role in addressing these challenges. Bonafarm-Bábolna Takarmány Ltd. has developed several innovative products that represent added value and can be used effectively to support production. Soyzin, Rapeex and Linolex are rumen bypass products that are all manufactured using innovative technology to protect the components and are perfectly adapted to fully meet the needs of different dairy farms.
Diversification of rumen protected (bypass) products
Genetic advancement leads to a continuous increase of milk yield in dairy cows, and as a result the protein requirement of the animals is also increasing. A cow producing 45 litres of milk per day will excrete 1.5 kg of proteins, while microbial proteins only account for about 50-55% of the protein requirement in high yielding dairy cows and the remaining part must be supplemented by providing dietary proteins. It is well known that excessive amounts of dietary protein will have a negative effect on reproductive results, and this is especially true for dietary proteins that are easily degradable in the rumen. One solution to this problem is to supply bypass proteins and amino acids that are not degraded in the rumen, only in the post-ruminal part of the digestive system, thus maintaining the optimal protein balance in the rumen. While there is a limited range of feed ingredients that are not degraded in the rumen, Bonafarm-Bábolna Takarmány Ltd. has diversified the various bypass protein sources to be able to adapt to the feed ingredients available on the farms and the different levels of production.
Soyzin
Soyzin is a full-fat soy based bypass protein and fat product that was first commercialised in 2015 and has been undergoing development ever since. The manufacturing technology focuses on protecting the nutritional components and the end product has a UDP content of 70% (relative to crude protein) with an excellent true digestibility of over 98%. The physical appearance of the product in itself is very important, since its quality is influenced not only by the extent of heat treatment but also by the different particle fractions present. Soy bean is not ground, the product contains half and quarter particles, which means that a significant part of the fat content is also rumen protected.
Based on results obtained from our studies, we can say that the majority of unsaturated fatty acids in Soyzin pass through the rumen (are rumen protected) without negative interactions with the rumen microbes that would yield negative effects such as the inhibition of milk fat production. The unsaturated fatty acids are then available in the post-ruminal part of the intestine with positive physiological effects. Since 100 g of the product contains 14 g bypass fat, by using this product we can also reduce the amount of expensive bypass fat supplementation in the feed.
Rapeex
Rapeex is a rapeseed meal based bypass protein product we developed and is produced from Hungarian raw materials. The structure of the proteins in Rapeex is modified during the manufacturing process, which contributes to the increase of bypass protein content (i.e. proteins not degraded in the rumen) and the UDP ratio while post-ruminal digestibility is not affected. Besides the heat treatment during the manufacturing process, the other components of the product also contribute to increasing the bypass protein content by producing a thin film of oil around the feed particles. This decreases protein degradation in the rumen without affecting the fermentation process, providing a combined protective effect against degradation in the rumen.
It is very important to take into consideration that the bypass protein content of various dietary protein sources is different, and the bypass proteins manufactured from them will contribute to meeting the amino acid requirement of the animals and increasing the efficiency of milk production to varying degrees. Formulations rich in soy bean will yield a ration rich in lysine with a lower methionine content, while the methionine content of rapeseed meal is ideal. By combining Soyzin, that is rich in lysine with Rapeex, that contains more methionine, we can provide adequate amino acid supply for the post-ruminal part of the intestine more effectively.
We performed a 100-day study with the inclusion of 365 Holstein cows to evaluate the effect of the combination of protein sources on increasing milk production without changing the cost of feed. The ration fed during the trial was formulated in such a way that it did not differ in its nutritional value or bypass protein content for the treatment and control groups, except for the Rapeex added to the ration of the treated cows. Results of the trial showed that cows fed the ration with Rapeex had an average increase of +1.4 kg milk production (for the cows at the peak of lactation) and +0.8 kg (for cows in mid-lactation) compared to the control groups. Results demonstrated that Rapeex as a bypass protein can be incorporated into lactation cow rations effectively, without increasing the cost of feed, which also underlines the cost-effectiveness of the product.
Linolex
The initial negative energy balance at the beginning of lactation correlates with reproductive performance, since it affects the resumption of ovarian activity after calving and the activity of reproductive hormones that play fundamental roles in oestrus and gestation. Linolex is a linseed based source of bypass protein and fat, and similar to fresh grass, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid. The animal is not capable of producing omega-3 fatty acids, so these compounds are essential nutrients. Providing a supplementation of essential fatty acids has a major role in increasing milk production throughout lactation.
Several studies have demonstrated the positive reproductive effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are also precursors of hormones. They decrease the production of PGF2α (prostaglandin F2 alpha), which speeds up the maturation of follicles and increases their size, resulting in improved fertility. Omega-3 fatty acids also help in resolving the negative energy balance after calving and contribute to the development of well-developed, large oocytes. The embryos from these larger oocytes will then have a bigger chance of withstanding the luteolytic effects of prostaglandin, and this decreases the risk of early embryonic mortality significantly (Soydan et al., 2020, Hidalgo et al., 2019, Ambrose et al., 2006). In addition, the active compounds increase the length and intensity of heat, as well as the success rate at first service (Zeng et al., 2023).
The use of Linolex has beneficial effects not only on the production animals but on human health as well, since the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in Linolex are transferred directly to milk and meat, contributing to the production of healthier foods. The omega-3 fatty acids in Linolex have an effect on the rumen microbes and by reducing the number of methane producing bacteria in the rumen they can also decrease greenhouse gas emissions (Sun et al., 2022).
We have developed the products Soyzin, Rapeex and Linolex in-house to support the balance between sustainability and efficacy, they are all GMO-free and produced from Hungarian ingredients. The manufacturing process we use provides protection for the majority of the protein content against degradation in the rumen, thus providing an increase in the amount of total metabolisable protein, which is indispensable for effective milk production. Bonafarm-Bábolna Takarmány Ltd. is dedicated to continuously providing new solutions in this field to its partners.
Fédra Borbély
junior product manager
Bonafarm-Bábolna Takarmány Ltd.
