Molasses for cattle can be used to improve the health of your animals, reduce the cost of feed, and lower the pH of their rumen. This is especially useful if you have problems with strep bovis and S. ruminantium, which grow very quickly in the rumen. Also, it will help increase your livestock’s desire to drink and decrease their odor.
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Increased desire of lambs for water
Molasses has been found to positively influence the performance of animals. The sugar content of molasses ranges from 48 to 53%.
Moreover, molasses can improve the digestibility of hay. It also improves the silage quality of cattle, dairy cattle and beef cattle.
It is recommended to use molasses as a feed additive for ensiling vegetable waste silage. It has a high osmotic potential, which is responsible for stability and shelf life of the finished product.
This study evaluated the effect of adding molasses to T4 silage to assess its feeding impact. It was fed to lambs in 100-day ensiling stage. At the end of the feeding trial, the lambs were transferred to individual metabolic crates.
Increased daily consumption of shelled corn
Recent research shows that increased daily consumption of shelled corn for cattle can increase feed value. Although the exact mechanism for the effect is still not well understood, the process of digestion may be affected by feeding whole or cracked kernels of corn.
It has been suggested that whole shelled corn is beneficial to cows because it increases salivation. But this also means that cattle are more likely to chew feed. That may result in improved performance.
The Journal of Animal Science recently published a study of the effects of mastication on the digestibility of whole cereal grains by cattle. While there is no conclusive evidence that mastication improves the rate of whole shelled corn digestion, it was suggested that it buffers rumen pH and prevents acidosis.
Lowers rumen pH
Several studies have shown that supplementation of eucalyptus oil reduces the rumen pH. But, whether the rumen pH of dairy calves is lower at weaning is not fully understood.
Acidosis in ruminants is caused by abrupt changes in diet. It is characterized by abdominal pain, incoordination, recumbency, and muscle tremors. This condition is usually accompanied by respiratory distress, collapse, and dehydration. In the present study, the effects of calf starter consumption, herbal feed plant additives, and urea on rumen pH and ammonia concentration were evaluated.
The rumen pH was measured in the presence of a calf starter and hay. In both treatments, the rumen was sanguinated before the measurements. Rumen and jugular blood samples were collected at 30-minute intervals.
Strep bovis and S. ruminantium growth very rapidly in the rumen
In recent years, it has become known that the Streptococcus (S.) bovis and Streptococcus ruminantium complex, which produces lactic acid, is a contributor to ruminal acidosis in livestock. They can be found in the rumens of cattle and poultry, and are also reported in companion animals.
These bacteria can be resistant to antibiotics. In addition, they are able to survive under low concentrations of soluble carbohydrates. Some species can even use pectin and hemicellulose. The presence of these bacteria in the rumen of ruminants indicates the diversity of the rumen bacterial ecosystem.
Recently, researchers have discovered genetic heterogeneity of SBSEC isolates. This has led to the development of new taxonomic assignments for the species.
Reduces dustiness in feeds
If you are a cattle aficionado, you are probably already aware of the benefits of molasses infused feeds. Molasses is a nifty ingredient to say the least, it’s got a lot of health and flavor benefits that your average cowboy can’t afford to miss. The best part is that it’s inexpensive to boot. The best time to sample is during the grazing season. Of course, there are other benefits such as reduced risk of infection and improved overall health. Keeping track of a flock of livestock is no small feat. Luckily, there are several ways to get the job done.
