Last week Mark Robbins had an excellent blog written in regards to the fat content of CRYSTALYX^®.  He explained the changes made to fat levels in the “HE” line of products and what that change of 1 or 2% fat really means in terms of actual energy.  The bottom line is that the fat content of CRYSTALYX^®, while providing some energy, really is a small contributor as an energy source in products containing 3-5% fat.  We do not want to discount the value of fat in any supplement as CRYSTALYX^® does market a high fat product, Omega-lyx™ which has a much more significant fat level (12%).

The key thing to realize is what we are really doing with CRYSTALYX^® when we feed it, especially with low quality forages.  We are supplementing key nutrients to the cow’s forage-based diet, not providing a significant portion of the diet.  We want the supplement to help boost the impact and/or enhance the effects of other diet components like overall forage digestibility to improve animal performance.  This is the real definition of a supplement.

I wrote a blog about a year and a half ago titled “CRYSTALYX^® Fundamentals” that covers the real job description of CRYSTALYX^®.  Most low quality forages are low in protein and high in fiber.  CRYSTALYX^® products containing 20%-40% crude protein, at ¾ of a lb. intake provide a critical first increment of supplemental protein.  This protein will stimulate and feed the rumen microbes that have a requirement too, and are responsible for digesting the fiber fraction of the forage.  This makes for a better rumen environment promoting a healthier and higher population of these microbes.  So, when you have more happy “bugs” in the rumen, they reproduce and digest more forage which increases the rate of passage through the animal.  This supplement strategy allows the cow to consume and utilize more forage and extract more energy out of her diet.  The end result is more energy intake or increasing the caloric intake.  The alternative method to provide energy would come from feeding several pounds of grain or other feedstuffs that are relatively high in energy.  This makes sense when there is inadequate forage supply but is usually expensive. CRYSTALYX^® simply works better and more economically for cows grazing adequate quantities of low quality forages.

Past research with CRYSTALYX^® has verified these rumen and animal responses and performance results further support these outcomes in typical production settings.  One study conducted with Montana State Univ. looked at weight gain and body condition score of cows consuming ¾ lb. of CRYSTALYX^®.  From October through December, dry pregnant mature cows gained an additional 85 lbs. of body weight when being fed CRYSTALYX^® BGF-30™.   A Kansas State Study (digestion trial in 1997) showed that steers supplemented with approximately one lb. of BGF-30™ consumed more low quality forage resulting in an increase in total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake of 1.8 lbs.  The additional energy intake translates to better condition of animals.  In the winter time, this also provides for more gut fill of animals which increases the heat increment.  All of this will factor into helping an animal tolerate cold stress as well.

Again, the studies referred above were done with CRYSTALYX^® BGF-30™ which contains 30% protein and 4% fat.  Back to what Mark Robbins was referring to in his blog last week, a CRYSTALYX^® product that contains 1% less fat being consumed at ¾ lb. per day provides only about 0.0192 lbs. less TDN.  This is about 9 grams of energy or the weight of 4 pennies; hardly significant to a 1200 lb. cow.  So, as we can see, the real energy component is provided via better utilization of forage.  It is also apparent that protein is more responsible for this response than the fat level of the supplement.  This is what CRYSTALYX^® does best and economically.   Most supplements are just that, they improve the basal diet which in turn increases animal performance; they are not major contributors to the basal diet.  Feeding more fat will provide more energy, but as you can see, the small contribution of fat from CRYSTALYX^® is minor.  In addition, fat does not promote fiber digestion and when fed at high levels in roughage based diets can actually impede fiber digestibility.

It’s mid-August already.  Summer is moving fast and moisture conditions have provided generous amounts of forage in many areas of the country this year.  Some of it grew fast and may not have the “punch” or nutrient density it normally has.  This late summer and fall, with an abundance of grass, a perfect scenario to best put CRYSTALYX^® to work in your nutrition program is developing... There are a number of CRYSTALYX^® products available with varying nutrient levels to fit your needs and the level of performance your herd demands.   Feed CRYSTALYX^® with confidence – your cows and your pocket book will be glad you did.