Value of Excell™ on Creep Fed Beef Calves Pre-Weaning

University of Georgia/Excell™ In Vitro Study - Phase 1

Creep feeding is often used to help reduce weaning stress and improve calf performance in the backgrounding and feed-out phases. This three-phase study is designed to evaluate several commercial pre/probiotic products compared to Monensin by measuring various rumen fermentation characteristics (i.e., volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, dry matter (DM) digestibility, gas production, etc.). and the impacts of the product on animal performance, microbial populations, and metabolic markers.

Phase 1

Rumen fluid was taken from five treatment groups for in-vitro assessment of rumen fermentation characteristics. Based upon Phase 1. in-vitro results, Excell™ was chosen as one of the top two efficacious products to be evaluated in Phase 2 & 3.

In vitro data tables to the right indicated Excell™:

· Increased total VFA production 4.53 mM over Monensin and 1.84 mM over the control.

· Produced 2.6 mM more available energy in spite of higher propionate production from Monensin.

· Increased DM disappearance 2.5 % over Monensin and 1.2 % over the control.

· Increased acetate 2.1 mM and butyrate 4 mM over Monensin.

Summary

Results of this in vitro study validates previous study conclusions that Excell™ is superior to Monensin for rumen function and VFA energy production. This advantage is likely due to the reduction in fiber digesters resulting in reduced butyrate and acetate production.

Research done at the University of Idaho supports the increased energy advantage of Excell™ by producing .23 pounds more daily gain over Monensin with equal feed efficiency.

University of Georgia Excell™ In Vitro Study

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