A trial of Terragen’s Probiotic for Ruminants was held at Charles Sturt University’s feedlot in Wagga Wagga late last year.

With a minimum of 13 billion live probiotic bacteria per gram, Terragen’s new Probiotic for Ruminants is set to revolutionise how Australian lotfeeders support the gastrointestinal health of their herd.

Available across leading rural retailers from today (Monday 31 March), Terragen’s Probiotic for Ruminants is scientifically proven to enhance herd productivity by optimising feed digestion and amplifying the benefits of pre-existing good bacteria.

The proprietary microbial blend features three strains of Lactobacillus bacteria. As a combination they can both generate and utilise organic acids, providing ruminants with a natural defence against harmful pathogens and optimising digestion efficiencies.

The benefits don’t stop there. Probiotics have been shown to improve overall livestock health and productivity, supporting disease prevention, responsible antimicrobial use, and leading to increased profitability.

$57 increase in per carcase value 

An independent trial of Terragen’s Probiotic for Ruminants was held at Charles Sturt University’s feedlot near Wagga Wagga late last year.

A total 264 Angus cattle from six different breeders across Southern NSW were maintained on feed for 106 days to measure if the supplement improved production and carcass characteristics.

Angus cattle supplied a ration containing the product gained 4.6 percent more weight per day compared to a control group that were not. They were also shown to have a marbling score 7pc higher than the same group.

The beef feedlot trial tested the Terragen Probiotic for Ruminants dry feed supplement at different dosage rates against the company’s liquid MYLO and control groups for equivalence and dose rate response.

The test groups were liquid MYLO, Probiotic for Ruminant x1 dose, Probiotic for Ruminant x2 dose, and a control group fed no supplement.

The control feeding project undertook a replicated randomised block design. Steers had an average liveweight of 400kg upon induction, with an average weight range from 380-420kg across all pens.

Following the trial, the steers were contracted to, and processed by Teys Australia (Wagga Wagga), where all carcases were assessed and graded according to the Meat Standards Australia Eating Quality index.

Industry experts excited by results

Dr Joss West, COO of Terragen, with Professor Jane Quinn of the Gulbali Institute at Charles Sturt University.

Professor Jane Quinn of the Gulbali Institute, and Professor Paul Cusack, renowned feedlot vet and ruminant nutritionist, oversaw the trial at CSU.

Each agreed on the significant potential the product has for increasing feedlot cattle performance.

“The novel Terragen dried bioactive supplement, Probiotic for Ruminants, at the higher concentration, produced a lift in both production and carcass performance in steers fed on a traditional 110-day grain-fed program,” Professor Quinn said.

Professor Cusack said he would be watching the product with “great interest” following the commercial launch.

“I see potential, and I am keen to see a large-scale trial in a commercial setting,” Prof Cusack said.

Benefits for dairy, calves, and lambs

The CSU beef feedlot trial complements existing scientific data and evidence from peer-reviewed research that shows Terragen’s probiotic delivers increased productivity and profitability for other ruminants, including:

Dairy Cows

• Improve milk yields by up to 10.1pc
  

  With an extended shelf life of up to two-years, the product comes in three convenient, resealable retail packs of 100g, 250g, and 500g.

• Increase liveweight during lactating by up to 21pc
• Methane intensity reduced by 7.5pc
• Promote herd health and longevity
• $500 net benefit per cow per lactation

Dairy Calves

• Transition calves onto solid feed sooner
• Wean calves up to 10 days earlier
• Improve liveweight gain by 6kg on average
• $40 net saving per calf

Lambs

• Increase Average Daily Gain by up to 24pc
• Increase liveweight gains by up to 25pc
• Reduce methane intensity by up to 30pc

Backed by Science

Terragen probiotics are proudly FAMI-QS certified, which is testament to the optimal bioprocessing and product quality standards.

The organisation is committed to ensuring all products are safe to use and are of the highest standard throughout the whole process, from manufacturing to being delivered to the customer. The FAMI-QS certification ensures the feed additives you use are ones you can trust.

Terragen Chief Operations Officer, Dr Joss West, praised her team’s effort in launching the new product, which can deliver net returns of up to $50 net per head.

“Terragen’s new probiotic formulation is the result of extensive scientific research, manufacturing expertise and customer and industry feedback,” Dr West said.

“The team has worked exceptionally hard to deliver a probiotic formulation focused on improving ruminant health, performance, and profitability.

“Ultimately, we want to help producers optimise their current practices and deliver return on investment,” she said.

Dry formula adds convenience