This was confirmed by research at Kansas State University who recorded a 13% increase in forage intakes when CRYSTALYX was fed to growing beef steers.
Increasing the extent of fermentation will improve forage digestibility, (forage D value) due to improved fibre digestion by rumen microflora.
- This again supports the Kansas State Research results which showed a 10% increase in forage digestibility when Crystalyx was fed to growing beef steers on forage only diets.
Increasing both forage intakes and digestibility will have very significant effects on animal performance. More importantly, research studies undertaken at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne School of Agriculture have shown that the poorer the quality of the forage being fed, the greater is the benefit of feeding Crystalyx.
Studies at the University of Newcastle have shown:
- Flushing ewes with access to Crystalyx gained weight faster than a similar group of ewes on grass alone, even though grass availability was plentiful for both groups.
- Pregnant ewes with access to Crystalyx retained better condition in mid pregnancy, as forage quality declined, than control ewes on grass alone.
- Growing cattle with access to Crystalyx grew nearly 10% faster than a similar group on grazing alone, again, even though grass availability was plentiful for both groups.
Dr Abdul Chaudry, one of the Newcastle researchers therefore concluded - “The nutritive value of forages can be improved by feeding Crystalyx” and Dr Peter Rowlinson of Newcastle University commented - “This feeding system will help improve and maintain forage quality, so the animal will effectively be eating summer grass all through the winter”.