Over the past 50 years, the development of antibiotics and ionophores and use of intensive production systems has radically changed dairy production. However, consumer preferences and scientific advances emphasize exploring how natural compounds, such as plant botanicals, can be used in diets for growing and lactating dairy cattle. Plant botanicals are an emerging and exciting opportunity for developing the next generation of natural solutions for enhancing dairy production.

It is estimated that there are 250,00 to 500,000 species of plants on earth. A relatively small number of these plants have been chemically characterized and only a handful may contain compounds that are beneficial for enhancing ruminant production. Advances in chemistry and the results of laboratory and animal feeding studies have uncovered relationships between plant compounds and animal performance. The transition from folklore to science has precipitated the commercial development of botanical products to improve feed intake, enhance feed digestion, and improve efficiency. Mounting evidence also exists that show plant botanical compounds may exert positive influences on immunity and disease resistance.

Because of their classification as flavors, considerable interest exists for using plant compounds to improve or change the pattern of feed intake. In addition to the effects on intake, certain botanicals may affect nutrient digestion, enzyme secretion, and immune function. In the rumen, the functional compounds of botanicals can affect protein and carbohydrate metabolism by inhibiting or stimulating specific microbial populations. Enzyme expression by specific microbial species can be enhanced or inhibited by specific plant compounds.

In an effort to discover potential botanical opportunities, ADM Animal Nutrition Research continues to focus extensive research efforts on identifying botanicals that can enhance performance of growing and lactating ruminants. Basic research and animal feeding studies conducted by ADM Animal Nutrition Research have identified several commercially beneficial botanicals and botanical combinations. Key research findings include discoveries concerning the mode of action and performance benefit. Several examples are presented in Table 1.

Research with dairy calves recently demonstrated that combinations of the botanical fenugreek and a sweetener enhanced intake of starter feed by 7% and improved growth rate by almost 6%. The beneficial effects were especially dramatic during the first week on feed.
 

Table 1  Feed Intake and Gain by Dairy Calves Fed Calf Starter Containing Botanical and Sweetener
Item	Control	Treatment (botanical)
Feed intake, week 1, lb/day	3.28	3.59
Overall intake, lb/day	3.43	3.67
Overall gain, lb/day	1.74	1.84
ADM Animal Nutrition Research Study D06105

In a series of beef studies conducted during 2005-2006, the inclusion of a specific combination of botanicals in growing diets improved feed intake and growth rate of cattle during the stressful arrival phase. Interestingly, morbidity and mortality were observed to be less for cattle fed diets containing higher levels of botanicals.

In lactating dairy cows, intensive research efforts by ADM Research has led to the development of RumeNext-D, a botanical combination that has been shown to have a positive impact on milk yield by enhancing rumen function and nutrient supply for lactation. The use of RumeNext-D, both in the US and international markets, has confirmed the milk yield benefit recorded in controlled trials, as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, on-going research studies in the United States and Canada have demonstrated RumeNext-D complements ionophores, like Rumensin*, in lactation diets.

Certain botanicals contain compounds that may affect animal metabolism and the animal response to environmental conditions or dietary challenges. On-going investigations by ADM Animal Research suggest that botanicals may be beneficial for ruminants exposed to challenges such as endophyte-infected fescue (fungus infection of fescue) and heat stress. A recent study conducted by ADM in Florida showed that heat-stressed dairy cows had improved milk yield and better milk quality when fed a specific botanical in combination with other functional ingredients. The results of this study are presented in Table 2. While preliminary, these data suggest that botanicals may be useful additives for stressed animals.
 

The use of botanicals in ruminant diets represents an exciting opportunity to use natural-source solutions to improve animal performance. The research focus remains on linking the functional components of botanicals to the desired animal benefit as ADM develops the next generation of additives for growing and lactating ruminants.

*Not a trademark of ADM.