Ruminant is a prebiotic digestive enhancer specially formulated for sheep and cattle. It is powered by Signal Molecule Technology. Ruminant is made from the fermentation of specially-selected beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii) prebiotics, vitamins, minerals and trace elements to stimulate microbial activity in the rumen.

Ruminant aids in maintaining efficient rumen function through periods of stress such as weaning, transport and feed changes.

• Increases digestive efficiency.
• Reduces feed change stress.
• Reduces weaning stress.

Laboratory tests show Ruminant boosts the growth of three strains of beneficial bacteria by >25% including Lactobacillus bacteria, which live throughout the digestive tract.

• Lambs - 4ml/head at weaning and prior to feed changes and transport.
• Ewes/Hoggets/Rams - 4ml/head prior to feed changes, mating and transport.
• Calves - 10ml/head at weaning and prior to feed changes and transport.
• Cattle - 20ml/head prior to feed changes, mating and transport.

Like humans the effects of stress can lead to adverse metabolic changes in stock effecting their health, appetite, immune system and productivity. The populations of microbes in the rumen are greatly affected by the type and quality of feed an animal is eating, the stress that the animal is under and the use of antibiotics and de-wormers. If the populations of microbes are out of balance then the animal’s rumen function will be suboptimal and digestive efficiency will decline.

Pasture fed lamb weight gain trial 2001/02
Lamb Fattening Property, Manawatu - Wanganui region, NZ

The Ruminant-treated mob (200) received 2 mL of BioStart Ruminant. After 25 days of pasture feed they had an increase over the untreated mob (100) of;

• An average liveweight gain of 1.5 kg or 4 % increase.
• An increased liveweight gain per day by 25 % (60 g/d; from 240 to 300 g/d).
• Lambs were drafted with 45 % of each mob selected for the abattoir.

The Biostart-treated mob had an increase of;

• A 1 kg or 4 % increase in liveweight.
• An increased carcass weight of 450 g (assuming 45 % dress out rate) which would lead to another €2.25/hd (assuming a lamb schedule of €5.00/kg).

Lambs

At docking Tailing stress effects young lambs still establishing the microbiology of their intestines and rumen. Ruminant reduces the impact on rumen microbes from tailing stress. 

At weaning Lambs experience separation stress and environmental stress caused by the move from standard stocking to rotational grazing. Lambs are also drenched at weaning which adversely effects the rumen’s microbial populations and therefore rumen fermentation. Ruminant helps reduce the rumen microbe stress caused by these events and helps restore rumen microbial populations.

For lamb finishing When introducing lambs to a supplementary crop the make-up of the rumen microbe populations are required to change rapidly so stock can digest this new feed and maintain feed utilisation and animal performance. Dose with Ruminant to help boost rumen microbial growth and thereby allow the rumen microbial populations to adapt rapidly.

Ewes

Prior to mating Raising nutrition increases the Ewe ovulation rate. Dose with Ruminant to improve nutrient utilisation.

Prior to lambing Reduce Ewe stress relating to pregnancy which is compounded by winter climatic conditions and winter supplementary feeding.

All stock

At feed change The rumen microbe populations are required to change rapidly so stock can digest a new feed/supplementary crop and maintain feed utilisation and animal performance. This process of changing the microbe populations can take between 4 – 9 days under normal conditions. Introduce the supplementary crop over a few days and dose with Ruminant to help boost rumen microbial growth and thereby allow the rumen microbial populations to adapt rapidly.

After animal health problems, antibiotic use and wormers Conditions like acidosis and grass staggers depress the stock’s appetite and production. High acid levels in the rumen, and the use of antibiotics and dewormers can also adversely affect the rumen microbial populations and therefore rumen fermentation. Follow your vet’s treatment plan for the health problem and dose with Ruminant to help restore rumen microbial populations and digestive efficiency.

Prior to transportation e.g. to sale yards, for export Transportation is extremely stressful for animals. Prior to transport, moderately restrict feed intake, feed hay or silage as the low water content will help reduce the liquid content of effluent, and supplement with magnesium (with vet’s advice). Dose with Ruminant prior to transport to reduce transport stress and help with feed change pre and post transport.

Pre or post cold or hot weather events When sheep suffer from heat or cold stress more energy is partitioned towards maintaining body temperature and there is less energy for meat and wool production. Under heat stress the sheep’s rate of gut and rumen motility, appetite and feed intake is reduced. Ensure plenty of water and shade is available and dose with Ruminant to improve digestive efficiency. Under cold stress stock increase dry matter intake and rumination. Provide sufficient feed and dose with Ruminant to help stimulate rumen function and digestive efficiency.