A new triple-action mycotoxin remediator and endotoxin binder – designed to help protect cow health and milk production against losses from toxins produced by moulds and bacteria in feed rations – has been launched by Volac.
UltraSorb R 3.0, which is added to rations at the point of feeding, builds on the success of earlier generations of UltraSorb by covering a wider spectrum of mycotoxins and endotoxins, says Stephanie Doherty, Volac marketing manager for feed and forage additives.
These include certain newly-emerged toxins identified through Volac’s MycoCheck feed sample testing service, she explains.
And UltraSorb R 3.0 delivers improved binding and transformation of the most common mycotoxins, plus the addition of dedicated endotoxin-binding activity – placing it at the forefront of mycotoxin and endotoxin protection, she points out.
“Mycotoxins are harmful compounds produced by moulds that grow on various forage crops, and on other crops used in animal feed,” explains Stephanie. “Ingestion of mycotoxins can cause a wide range of animal health problems – including loss of body weight, reduced milk yield, and reproduction issues.
“Meanwhile, endotoxins are components found in the cell walls of certain bad bacteria, such as E. coli. These trigger an immune response in the animal, causing inflammation, which has a large energy requirement and so diverts this energy away from milk production and other important processes.
“By helping to protect herd health, evidence points to the inclusion of UltraSorb R 3.0 in feed rations delivering an extra 1-2 litres of milk/cow/day. This equates to a 5.5:1 return on investment at a milk price of 32p/litre.”
Pointing to the triple-action protection of UltraSorb R 3.0, Stephanie says: firstly, specially-selected minerals bind to various mycotoxins and endotoxins; secondly, yeast fractions transform and detoxify or bind to other more complex mycotoxins; and thirdly, biological active agents degrade mycotoxins that cannot be bound, such as DON and ZON, into safe forms. Additionally, she says the live yeast in UltraSorb R 3.0 also supports gut health.
“What’s important to realise is that, as well as mycotoxins and endotoxins causing obvious, visible symptoms in livestock, they also cause less obvious, hidden effects that are an ongoing drain on the animal’s health and productivity. These less obvious endotoxin effects include acidosis, heat stress, and compromised immune systems. And just because silage doesn’t look mouldy, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a mycotoxin problem.
“With over three-quarters of feed samples containing mycotoxins and endotoxins creating an unseen drain on productivity, farmers face a serious profitability challenge. Because these challenges are often invisible, farmers may not realise they have a problem, but with such high prevalence, they are very likely to be impacted,” she adds.
Where dairy farmers identify a particular mycotoxin/endotoxin problem, Stephanie says UltraSorb R 3.0 can be added to feed rations at a dose of 20g/cow/day. In low-risk situations when targeting sub-clinical effects, she says a lower maintenance dose of 10g/cow/day can be used. UltraSorb R 3.0 is available for ruminants in 25kg bags.