On The Land
10 September, 2022
‘Calfeteria’ trial underway on livestock
AUSTRALIAN climate technology company Rumin8 has commenced a livestock trial at the University of New England to determine anti-methane dietary preferences in cattle.
Dubbed the “calfeteria trial”, the purpose of the experiment is to determine which ration cattle find more palatable and more likely to eat, and how the formulation they choose im-pacts reductions in methane generation.
The cattle in the trial will be provided the choice of a total mix ration containing three different treatments of Rumin8’s anti-methanogenic product, as well as a control product.
The trial will help inform efficacy, dosing and palatability decisions as Rumin8 moves from in vitro to in vivo trials.
Mr Messina said due to the manufacturing process used by Rumin8 to create its anti-methanogenic feed additives, the company was able to generate a highly repeatable product with respect to dosing.
“Our laboratory work to date indicates that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to dosing. In some cases, product with lower concentrations of the active ingredient performed just as well as high concentrations,” he said.
