UK – Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients, a joint venture between Volac and Wilmar International, has introduced a new product called Mega-Fat 70 to its line of rumen-protected fats.
Designed for dairy cows, this formulation aims to provide a balanced source of essential fatty acids throughout lactation, offering significant benefits for farmers and feed mills.
Mega-Fat 70, a calcium salt formulation, combines 70% palmitic acid (C16:0) and 20% oleic acid (C18:1), essential for enhancing dairy cow performance.
Dr Richard Kirkland, Global Technical Manager at Volac Wilmar, explained that the product delivers a powerful energy boost and improves milk fat production, body condition, and fertility.
“Palmitic acid is an excellent milk fat booster, while oleic acid aids in improving body condition, fertility, and fat digestibility,” Dr. Kirkland noted. “Mega-Fat 70 offers the ideal balance, making it effective throughout lactation.”
Optimised for feed mills
Mega-Fat 70 offers additional benefits to feed mills producing pellets. Unlike traditional high-C16 products, which soften under heat, this calcium salt formulation remains stable, ensuring that pellets are durable even during hotter months.
Dr. Kirkland emphasized that this characteristic provides greater flexibility and functionality for feed mills, resulting in higher quality, more durable pellets.
“New research data from Volac Wilmar further highlight the ability to manufacture superior pellets using calcium salt formulations like Mega-Fat 70, compared to high-C16 prill products,” Dr. Kirkland added.
Like other products in Volac Wilmar’s portfolio, Mega-Fat 70 is rumen-protected, meaning it passes through the rumen without affecting fibre digestibility, which is an important component in animal nutrition.
This feature allows for a concentrated energy boost without the negative impacts commonly associated with liquid oils.
“The calcium salt form helps deliver active C18:1 unsaturated fatty acids to the small intestine, where they are absorbed and utilized by the body. Importantly, rumen-protected fats do not ferment in the rumen, reducing the risk of acidosis and low milk fat often caused by starchy energy sources,” Dr Kirkland explained.
With Mega-Fat 70, Volac Wilmar offers a research-based approach to fatty acid supplementation for dairy cows. It provides a single-product solution that supports both milk production and overall cow health throughout lactation.
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