Unlock cattle performance: Why feeding rumen microbes matters

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Nutrition is a necessary expense that all cattle producers handle to keep their cattle in optimal condition.

Forage can be the cheapest and most efficient way to feed cattle, but they must have well-functioning rumen microbes to utilize feedstuffs fully.

“Rumen microbes allow cattle to digest forage by fermenting it in the rumen to create volatile fatty acids, which are then converted into energy,” said Ted Perry, cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition.

Additionally, rumen microbes are an excellent protein source, containing more than 50% protein. As rumen microbes multiply inside the rumen, they increase fermentation and digest more forage, which creates additional available protein and energy.

Forage alone typically can’t sustain cattle and feed rumen microbes, so you’ll need to provide some supplementation.

Performance Matters

Maintaining the rumen microbes with a balanced diet helps keep cows in good body condition.

“Body condition drives reproduction because if cows don’t have the proper body condition, they often won’t cycle, settle or breed,” Perry said. “When cows stay in optimal body condition, they can remain healthier and productive for longer.”

If the microbes aren’t properly fed, they can’t do their job of fermenting feed, which may result in lower forage intake and potentially impact cow performance.

“You can supplement cows without forage or with very limited forage, but it’s often a costly way to maintain them and this feeding strategy should only be utilized in drought situations with low forage availability,” Perry said.

Variety Is Key

The rumen is a complex environment home to billions of different microbes that have a variety of functions in the fermentation process.

“Some microbes only digest complex carbohydrates, like forage,” Perry said. “On the other hand, some microbes only digest simple sugars and starches, like grain.”

What you feed your cows helps determine which type of microbes grow. An all-forage diet will primarily develop the forage-digesting microbes.

However, if you feed a mixed diet of forage and supplements, a variety of microbe types can thrive and grow.

“Having a diversity of rumen microbes allows for more feedstuffs to be fully utilized and help optimize cattle performance,” Perry said.

Feed The Rumen

Like most producers, you likely feed some hay throughout the winter. It is important to ensure the rumen microbes are fed appropriately during this time with supplementation of protein, fat and mineral.

“Rumen microbes require phosphorus to function correctly and increase their fermentation,” Perry said.

It doesn’t matter how much supplemental protein and energy you offer; if the diet is low on minerals or you’re not feeding mineral at all, then rumen microbes may not perform at a level to optimize those resources.

Purina Wind and Rain mineral is formulated for consistent intake and is balanced for the phosphorus needs of cattle based on the area in which it is sold.

“After establishing mineral consumption, determine what supplementation type makes sense for your herd to provide enough energy to rumen microbes,” Perry said. “Tubs, blocks or liquid supplements are free-choice options that may help, depending on your environment.”

These supplements contain a balance of protein and energy sources designed to feed rumen microbes to help maximize forage utilization.

Purina RangeLand protein tubs and Purina Accuration, available in all three forms, are great options to help you optimize your forages by feeding the rumen microbes.

“When hand-feeding a supplement like cubes or a grain mix, it is crucial to stay consistent with the amount of nutrition you provide daily to help keep the rumen microbes functioning,” Perry said.

“If you feed one day and nothing the next, it can negatively impact the rumen because the microbes are bouncing from digesting a lot of starch to forage and back and forth.”

Keeping your feeding schedule as consistent as possible will help maintain a healthy balance of microbes and support digestion.

“By caring for rumen microbes, you’re helping ensure the herd stays in optimal health and supporting productivity,” Perry said.