A SMALL-SCALE trial with an organic probiotic has resulted in a 25 percent increase in lamb liveweight gain, while also reducing methane intensity by 30pc.
Australian listed company Terragen used auto-feeders placed in a paddock of 68 lambs supplemented with Dry MYLO® an organic probiotic produced by the company.
Terragen said the results are from research conducted by the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) at their Hamilton Smart Farm in Victoria.
While Terragen’s FAMI-QS certified liquid MYLO® is readily available and frequently used by livestock producers across Australia and New Zealand, this trial was conducted using the company’s new product, Dry MYLO®, which is set for commercial release in 2025.
Terragen’s chief operating officer Dr Joss West, said the outcomes of this research were positive and provided the company with the data and evidence required to embark on further research.
“Not only are we encouraged by these results, but they have also given us the confidence to begin a large-scale beef trial in Wagga Wagga, NSW,” she said.
The cattle trial commenced on 5 August at Charles Sturt University’s 2,000ha commercial-scale Global Digital Farm (GDF) and is being overseen by renowned industry expert Professor Paul Cusack and Charles Sturt University Professor Jane Quinn.
This trial will feature 278 steers at an average induction weight of 425kg. Each will be tested for productivity gains across a 110-day induction and feeding program supplemented with Dry MYLO®.
Terragen CEO Richard Norton said the early trials indicated the importance scientifically proven probiotics have in intensive feeding systems.
“We know the potential that probiotics like MYLO® have to improve animal health and deliver productivity gains, and this trial data, albeit only at a small scale, gives industry advisors the confidence to introduce probiotics into their feeding programs at a cost of around $0.10 to $0.12 per dosage/per day,” said Mr Norton.
“Unfortunately for many producers, the Australian probiotic market is poorly regulated, and we should not accept the continued proliferation of unproven, internationally sourced products,” he said.
Mr Norton said Terragen’s products are FAMI-QS accredited, meaning Terragen’s quality assurance, formulation, and ingredients are independently verified.
He said Terragen was also close to confirming an international trial of Dry MYLO® to collect additional data and evidence.
That trial is proposed to be conducted with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Calgary, Canada/Alberta Livestock Research Trust, and Beef Research Council, would undertake a Dry MYLO® trial to assesses productivity outcomes in greater depth and within a North American setting.
“Global companies are seeking to reduce their scope 3 emissions,” Mr Norton said.
Ruminant animals were put on this earth producing methane. Is any research being done on the wider implications of interfering with this biological process, none that I’m aware of.
It’s all well and good to try and change nature but what are the implications of the climate change madness.
I believe we are in for a sad future on this dangerous path..
A 25 percent increase in lamb liveweight gain is meaningless when not put in context. What types of lambs – first cross, terminal, Merinos? What age were the lambs and how long post-weaning were they backgrounded for and what was the weight gain during backgrounding? What weight at start of trial; what ration formulation were they on? What was distribution of weight final gains and so on. Similarly, you need to put methane intensity in context.