Question

Answer

Description

What is RumeNext-D?

RumeNext-D is a patent-pending combination of concentrated plant extracts that are standardized and protected in a micro-encapsulated shell.  Standardized extracts of cinnamon and cloves are the active plant extracts. The encapsulated extracts are blended into a carrier for convenient delivery to the cow on the farm. 

How was it developed?

RumeNext-D was developed by a team of scientists working in a five-year, worldwide research program coordinated by ADM and Pancosma, a leading European ingredient supplier.  RumeNext-D was developed using benchtop methods to screen more than 50 plant extracts for their effect on rumen fermentation.  This was followed by in-house and commercial lactation trials to confirm animal benefits.

What is it used for?

RumeNext-D is specially formulated for lactating dairy cows.  RumeNext-D is recommended for increasing milk production and the efficiency of milk production (lb of milk/per lb of ration). It may also increase milk-fat percent and lower milk urea-nitrogen levels.

How does it work?

RumeNext-D affects feed digestion by acting on certain rumen microbes. RumeNext-D changes the profile of rumen-volative fatty acids (VFA) and changes rumen-protein digestion.  It lowers rumen-acetate level and increases propionate and butyrate levels.  It reduces the breakdown of amino acids in the rumen and, thus, lowers rumen ammonia-nitrogen levels. 

Performance Benefits

What are the most common benefits?

In research trials sponsored by ADM and Pancosma, feeding RumeNext-D increased milk yield by an average of 3.3 lb/day. More than a dozen trials were conducted across North America and Europe to confirm this benefit.  Milk urea-nitrogen levels were decreased and milk-fat percentage was increased in several trials.  Milk-protein percent was usually not affected, but milk-protein output increased because of increased total milk yield.  In trials where feed intake was measured, production efficiency (lb of milk/lb of ration consumed) increased when the optimum level of RumeNext-D was fed.

When should it be fed?

The recommended feeding  period is three weeks before calving and throughout lactation.  It may be especially beneficial when fed during the first 150 days of lactation.

How much should be fed?

The recommended feeding rate is 1 to 2 oz/cow/day depending on the type of diet and feed additives already present.  For more specific recommendations, refer to the ‘Feeding Rate’ table in the RumeNext-D technical bulletin.

How soon will I see benefits?

Improvements in milk production and milk quality may be observed after feeding RumeNext-D for 30 days.

Does it affect health and reproduction?

In the short-term trials conducted so far, there have been no reports of detrimental effects of feeding RumeNext-D on cow health.  Long-term studies to determine whether RumeNext-D improves reproduction have not been conducted.

Will it affect dry matter intake?

Feeding the optimum level of RumeNext-D may result in no change to slightly better feed intake (2 to 4% increase in dry matter intake).  Greatly overfeeding RumeNext-D (> 2X recommended level) may cause lower feed intake because of its effect on rumen fermentation.

Recommended Use

In what type of diets will RumeNext-D work best?

RumeNext-D will work best in diets that contain optimum amounts of rumen-fermentable carbohydrate and degradable protein.  It may be especially beneficial in diets that contain a high amount of soluble true protein, such as when animals are grazing pasture or when being fed high amounts of alfalfa forage. 

Can RumeNext-D be fed in combination with Rumensin^®*?

Yes.  RumeNext-D has a different mode of action in the rumen compared with Rumensin, and the two additives are complementary.  However, when Rumensin is present at the approved level, the feeding rate of RumeNext-D should be adjusted downward by 0.5 oz/cow/day to gain the full benefit of both additives. 

Can RumeNext-D be fed in combination with other plant extracts?

Yes.  The most common plant extract currently being used in lactation rations is Yucca schidegara.  Yucca schidegara is found in AAH products 8861 (Bioaid) and 8867 (BioAid Pak).  If yucca is present in the ration, the feeding rate of RumeNext-D should be adjusted downward by 0.5 oz/cow/day to gain the full benefit of both additives.  Alternatively, yucca extract may be removed from the ration with RumeNext-D then being fed at the recommended level.

Does RumeNext-D interact with other feed additives?

Yes. RumeNext-D complements other additives typically found in dairy rations.  Our research has not found RumeNext-D to adversely affect microbial feed additives, and we can recommend that RumeNext-D be fed in combination with yeasts and yeast cultures and other direct-fed microbials.  RumeNext-D can also be fed with buffers.

Can RumeNext-D be fed to growing sheep and cattle?

Not recommended. RumeNext-D is specially formulated for lactating cows.  We do not recommend feeding it to growing cattle and sheep because the rations fed to growing animals may not allow the full benefits of RumeNext-D to be realized.

Can RumeNext-D be fed to lactating goats?

Yes.  The recommended feeding rate for lactating goats is 0.1 to 0.5 oz/animal/day.

Is RumeNext-D toxic to horses?

The scientific literature does not suggest any equine toxicity concerns for the plant extracts found in RumeNext-D.

Is it palatable?

Yes.  RumeNext-D can be used as a top-dress or it can be mixed into the TMR or concentrate portion of the diet.  It has a pleasant aroma, which may be noticeable on the farm.

Milk Quality

Does RumeNext-D affect milk quality?

Yes.  Our research shows RumeNext-D may reduce milk urea-nitrogen levels.  In several trials, milk-fat percentage improved when the optimum level of RumeNext-D was fed.  Milk-protein percent is generally not affected.  While there have been field reports of lower somatic cell counts, this has not been confirmed in controlled research trials.

Can residues be found in the milk after RumeNext-D is fed?

No.  Our research has demonstrated that feeding RumeNext-D will not cause any accumulation of the plant extract compounds in milk.  The odor and taste of milk are not affected by feeding RumeNext-D.

Manufacturing and Handling

How is RumeNext-D packaged?

RumeNext-D is packaged in 50-lb bags by ADM Alliance Nutrition and sold as an Alliance Animal Health product.

Are there storage concerns?

No.  RumeNext-D is stable for up to 18 months when stored under normal conditions. 

Can RumeNext-D be used in pelleted feeds?

Yes.  RumeNext-D is suitable for adding to a wide variety of rations, and it can be pelleted.  Because of its high degree of stability, it is ideal for supplements and complete feeds.  It is equally successful when added at the farm to total-mixed rations or as a top-dress supplement.

Economics

What does it cost to feed RumeNext-D?

RumeNext-D will cost about 2.5 to 5 cents/cow/day, depending on the feeding rate.

Is it cost effective?

Yes.  The ROI is targeted to be at least 4:1 at the retail level when RumeNext-D is fed at recommended levels.  The average response of 3.3 lb/day more milk results in nearly an 8:1 ROI when milk is priced at $0.12/lb and RumeNext-D costs $0.05/cow/day.