This year we are seeing maize and wholecrop silages that are high in starch which can be a real boost to cattle. Cereals are also looking more sensibly priced which again is a great benefit. These circumstances come together to potentially result in a starch overload.

So what can be done? The first step is to get your silage analysed to see what starch level you’re dealing with. In some cases you can use forages like big bale silage or haylage to help dilute the starch levels. Alternatively you can use protected cereals such as Pro-wheat or Pro-barley. Part of the starch is protected in the rumen and the portion that is broken down in the rumen breaks down more slowly. This makes these products more rumen friendly resulting in fewer incidences of acidosis.

The third prong of attack is Actisaf yeast. Actisaf is a protected live yeast, meaning it doesn’t get destroyed by the environment in the gut. The live yeast is protected by from heat and acid by a layer of dead yeast cells, which means that more yeast cells reach the rumen alive. Actisaf stabilizes rumen pH by reducing the build-up of lactic acid, which causes acidosis.

Ask your rep or ring the office about having your silage analysed, Pro-wheat & Pro-barley and Actisaf yeast.