We have all heard phrases like “don’t fix what isn’t broken” or “don’t mess with success.” But when it comes to dairy feed additives, is this the right mindset?
We know cows and their environments are always changing — genetics improve, pathogens emerge, weather patterns shift. It’s unrealistic to expect a feed additive that was successful 50, 20 or even 10 years ago to keep up with today’s cows without any alterations.
To match the needs of the modern cow, Papillon Agricultural Company routinely evaluates and adjusts dairy cow feed additive formulations to support things like fiber and starch digestibility, pathogen loads and leaky gut for overall cow gut health. What does this look like in practice? Over the last year, the Papillon team has been collecting feed and manure samples representing 190,000 dairy cows around the country — a process that is repeated every 3-5 years.
Using data to do more
These samples undergo analysis for bacterial pathogen presence with genotyping down to the strain level. This deep dive provides a clear picture as to not only what pathogens are plaguing cows today, but also how those pathogens have shifted over time.
How does this data impact dairy feed additive formulations? Papillon’s BaciFlex® line of probiotic solutions is aimed at supporting pathogen inhibition in the gut. To identify the best probiotics for the job, pathogens found in cows and their environments are paired with probiotics to examine how well the probiotic inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. From there, the most effective probiotics are used in the BaciFlex line.
Are your probiotics precise?
Because bacterial pathogens change over time, the best probiotic 5 or 10 years ago may no longer be keeping up. By re-testing both current and novel probiotic strains against today’s pathogens, Papillon can ensure their probiotic blends are the most effective at aiding in pathogen inhibition.
And it goes beyond just a single probiotic blend. Pathogens can vary not only by year, but also by region. BaciFlex is made up of multiple regional formulations containing the most effective probiotic combination for each region’s unique pathogen footprint. The result is a line of products that continues to evolve to meet today’s challenges and provide clear value to the dairy cow.
When it comes to evaluating products in the market, don’t be afraid to ask how often formulas are adjusted and what drives those changes. A quality dairy feed additive is one that is routinely evaluated and updated to stay up to date with today’s cows, feeds and environments.
So, is set-it-and-forget-it the best strategy when it comes to dairy feed additives? We at Papillon would say “no”. And the data agrees.
Best of all, you don’t have to weigh the costs and benefits of pathogen testing. To identify if your cows could benefit from the use of a dairy cow feed additive like BaciFlex, just reach out to your local Papillon representative and discuss a complimentary on-farm pathogen sampling evaluation.
