May 7, 2009
Scotland's Richard Keenan & Co introduces new animal feed system for cows
A Carlow, Scotland-based company has developed a new animal feeding and feed management system which may lead to significantly higher milk and meat yields.
Richard Keenan & Co, located in Borris, has introduced the mech-fiberâ„¢ system at Coopon Carse farm near Newton Stewart, in Scotland.
The mech-fiberâ„¢, a patented new feeding system was based on research and conducted by world's leading nutrition scientists and developed by Keenan in Borris. Its performance acceleration and control enhancement system (PACE) technology was based for their award-winning mixer wagons, were also on view during the launch.
Gerard Keenan, the company's executive chairman said milk and beef producers using mechfiber â„¢ can produce up to 30 percent more milk or beef from every kilogramme of feed eaten by their animals. Research carried out at universities in the USA and Britain support the success achieved on commercial farms.
Research at Reading University, using identical rations in a vertical auger machine and a Keenan mixer wagon, proved that the Keenan-fed cows produced 1 litre more milk per day. In addition to the increased herd efficiency and profitability, these achievements significantly reduce the environmental footprint and ensure the economic sustainability of the Agri-food system, according to the company.
The new technology focuses on the optimum "physical presentation" and fibre structure of the rations fed. Mech-fibreâ„¢ technology allows rumen enzymes and microflora to unlock the full potential of the feed used. It is a real seismic shift in ruminant nutrition and takes the feeding of livestock several strides forward, says Keenan & Co.
On the other hand, PACE is a web-based management control system for optimising loading sequences and mixing times for feed ingredients in the livestock ration and monitoring and measuring performance.
According to Prof David Beever, the more consistent the Mech-fiberâ„¢ ration, the more the rumen microflora will harmonise with the feed to optimise milk and beef production.
