RumaPro® remains available to rumen micro-organisms for up to 12 hours following ingestion. This is up to three times longer than conventional urea.

Independent university research has shown that cattle fed RumaPro®, do not exhibit high rumen or blood urea concentrations. 

The recommended intake of Anipro is 125mL per 100kg of body weight with a minimum intake of 400mL.

A healthier cow on Anipro supplements will reproduce and give a fit and healthy calf until an older age. 

Performance Feeds indicated that, based on client feedback, supplementing breeding herds with Anipro could increase conception rates by 10 to 15 per cent and as much as 20 per cent in maiden heifers.

“Secondly, come weaning time it is common that Anipro supplemented weaners will weigh up to 30kg heavier than non-supplemented weaners,” Performance Feeds’ territory manager for southern Queensland Joshua Lockwood said.

“This is a combination of cows being in better health and producing larger quantities of milk for their calves in the early stages of life and also access to Anipro for Rumen function when the calves begin to graze more and rely on pastures for their primary food source.”

Mr Lockwood said when comparing supplements, it was important to evaluate supplements of equal quality and value.

Higher conception rates and heavier weaners translates to real benefits in dollar terms.

Based on a Southern Queensland case study with 100 head breeder herd for ease of calculation:

Non Supplemented

100 cows x 84% = 84 calves

84 calves @ 250kg x $3.00/kg = $63,000.00

Supplemented

12 per cent conception increase

100 cows x 96% = 96 calves

96 Calves @ 280kg x $3.00/kg = $80,640.00

Difference = $17,640

Supplementation Cost – 100 cows @ 500mL per head per day x 0.76c/L x 365 days = $13,870.00 (Based on current southern Queensland pricing).

ROI = $3,770.00

By following through with best management practices all empty cows should be culled as well as aged cows in a self-replacing herd, Mr Lockwood said.

Lower conception then results in more heifers being held for replacement breeders. This in turn reduces the amount of weaners available to be sold so the ROI will increase.

“There are many more added financial benefits that are too numerous to calculate.

“A healthier cow will reproduce and give a fit and healthy calf until an older age.

“This then reduces the amount of weaner heifers having to be kept in a self-replacing herd. The herds quality will continually improve over the years as a well supplemented herd will achieve optimum production and performance.

“This then leads to further increase in conception and weaning weights.

“To follow on from weaning to growing out feeder cattle Anipro will continue to give an ROI. By having the Rumen working to full production it allows the animal to digest more pasture each day therefore increasing intake.” 

He said the more an animal can eat and digest will increase weight gain. A small 0.2kg/head/day weight gain can have significant benefits in turnover and production.

To take non supplemented weaners through to 400kg as domestic feeders you need an additional 150kg. At 0.5kg/head/day gain this will take 300 days.

The supplemented weaners have a 30kg advantage from the start. To get these through to the same weight you only need a 120kg gain.

At 0.7/kg/head/day this reduces the time to 170 days.

At these weights, weaners should be consuming 400ml/head/day x 0.76c/Lt = 30.5c x 170 days = $51.85/head.

At a 0.2kg/head/day increase x $3.00/kg = 0.60c/head/day x 170 days = $102.00/head.

That’s a $50.00 ROI/head (based on current southern Queensland pricing).

However, ruminants supplemented with urea, show high rumen and blood urea concentrations about 1.5-3 hours after a meal. High rumen and blood urea concentrations can stimulate many nutritional diseases, especially where the animal has liver damage.

High blood urea can affect embryo development and implantation in the uterine wall, having negative consequences on reproductive rates.

RumaPro®, because of its sustained degradation rate in the rumen, does not allow blood urea concentrations to negatively impact on reproduction. Instead, because of the increased flow of microbial crude protein from the rumen, RumaPro® supports embryo development and enhances reproductive performance.

“The key is consistency in supply,” Mr Lockwood said.

“A little bit every day helps the animals to maximise production. The aim is to produce as much beef as possible in the shortest period of time.”