Selko TMR

Selko TMR® is a blend of organic acids that reduces the growth of yeasts, moulds and bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae like Salmonella. As a result of the reduction in growth of micro-organisms, increases in temperature of the TMR are delayed by at least 6 hours in silages treated with Selko-TMR, resulting in a higher dry matter intake.

Product application

Fresh TMR for dairy cows contains yeasts, moulds and bacteria that can reduce the quality of the dairy ration. Growth of these micro-organisms leads to heating and fermentation, which reduces both the palatability and the feeding value of the ration. Particularly the easily fermentable proteins, carbohydrates and starch are fermented into water and CO 2 (see Figure 1) reducing the dry matter and therefore nutritional value of the dairy feed. Growth of micro-organisms and fermentation in TMR of dairy cows starts once the ingredients have been exposed to oxygen in the air and results in an increase of the temperature of the TMR. On a warm day in the summer, increases of more than 20°C are not uncommon. Once environmental temperatures start rising, performance of the dairy herd is under pressure for two reasons. Firstly, dairy cows could potentially suffer from heat stress resulting in a decrease of dry matter intake. Secondly, the reduction of palatability and feeding value resulting from heating of the TMR will lead to a further reduction of dry matter intake of dairy cattle.

Benefits

  • Reduced growth of micro-organisms
  • Improved feed intake
  • Increase of milk production of up to 1.7 kg ECM/day.

Specifications

  • Selko-TMR is a blend of organic acids that reduces the growth of yeasts, moulds and bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae like Salmonella. Studies showed that yeast count in TMR treated with Selko TMR Dry was around 91% lower at 12 hours and around 83% lower at 24 hours after TMR production compared to untreated control (Figure 2) In the same study it was found that, as a result of the reduction in growth of yeast growth, increases in temperature of the TMR are delayed by at least 12 hours in TMR treated with Selko-TMR Dry (Figure 3). Comparable effect are seen with Selko TMR liquid which delayed the increase of temperature by at least 6 hours in TMR treated with Selko-TMR liquid (Figure 4).

Selko TMR

Optimize feed efficiency and milk production during hot weather

 

The impact of elevated temperatures on quality of dairy feed

How can we reduce the negative impact of yeasts, moulds and bacteria on dairy TMR?

Figure 1: Effect of fermentation on sugar level and dry matter percentage of an untreated TMR. Sugar level was reduced by 50% over a period of 24 hours.

Fresh TMR for dairy cows contains yeasts, moulds and bacteria that can reduce the quality of the dairy ration. Growth of these micro-organisms leads to heating and fermentation, which reduces both the palatability and the feeding value of the ration. Particularly the easily fermentable proteins, carbohydrates and starch are fermented into water and CO2 (see Figure 1) reducing the dry matter and therefore nutritional value of the dairy feed.

Growth of micro-organisms and fermentation in TMR of dairy cows starts once the ingredients have been exposed to oxygen in the air and results in an increase of the temperature of the TMR. On a warm day in the summer, increases of more than 20°C are not uncommon. Once environmental temperatures start rising, performance of the dairy herd is under pressure for two reasons. Firstly, dairy cows could potentially suffer from heat stress resulting in a decrease of dry matter intake. Secondly, the reduction of palatability and feeding value resulting from heating of the TMR will lead to a further reduction of dry matter intake of dairy cattle.

The quality of the initial raw materials has a big impact on the level of yeasts, moulds and bacteria. Contamination at harvesting should be avoided as much as possible, and silages should be closed properly to reduce exposure to oxygen. Growth of micro-organisms can be reduced further by using silage preservation products.

Contamination of the raw material with micro-organisms can never be avoided completely. Once the silage is opened, there will be exposure to oxygen and moisture leading to replication of micro-organisms. Particularly if ingredients with a high moisture content are being used or if water is being added to the TMR, heating can become a serious problem. This is where Selko®-TMR for dairy cows comes in.

Treating the TMR

The standard amount of Selko-TMR to be added to dairy feed is 1.5 liters of Selko-TMR per 1000 kg of TMR.

Selko TMR liquid Selko TMR Dry
Standard amount 1.5 liters per 1000kg of TMR 1.5 kg per 1000kg of TMR
If the risk of fermentation and heating is high 2.0 liters per 1000kg of TMR 2.0kg per 1000kg of TMR

Indicators of a higher risk of fermentation and heating
  • If grass silage with more than 45% of dry matter or corn silage with more than 38% dry matter is included in the TMR of dairy cattle
  • If the cutting edge of the silage is irregular
  • If water is being added to the dairy TMR
  • If the environmental temperature is above 21 °C
  • the feeding frequency is once per 2 days
  • a premix of ingredients is being made

Treating the cutting edge of the silage

When a silage is sensitive for fermentation and heating at the cutting edge, the surface can be treated with Selko-TMR in order to slow down the fermentation. Spray 0.25 liter of Selko-TMR per square meter cutting surface.

Treating the top layer of the silage

If moulding of the top layer of the silage is a problem, Selko-TMR can be used at a dose of 0.5 liter of Selko-TMR per square meter.

Selko TMR liquid Selko TMR Dry
Standard amount 1.5 liters per 1000kg of TMR 1.5 kg per 1000kg of TMR
If the risk of fermentation and heating is high 2.0 liters per 1000kg of TMR 2.0kg per 1000kg of TMR

Reach out to your local Selko nutritionist for free expert advice

Thank you for contacting us. Your request for expert advice or customized product quote has been successfully submitted. In the meantime, we invite you to explore more about our innovative solutions on our website. Or you can discover best practices for cattle farming here .

Selko-TMR for dairy cows

Figure 2: Effect of Selko TMR Dry on the growth of yeast in a TMR after 12 and 24 hours

Figure 3: Temperature stability of a TMR treated with Selko TMR Dry compared to untreated TMR.

Figure 4: Increase in temperature of a TMR treated with Selko-TMR compared to a TMR treated with potassium sorbate and a untreated TMR.

Selko-TMR is a blend of organic acids that reduces the growth of yeasts, moulds and bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae like Salmonella. Studies showed that yeast count in TMR treated with Selko TMR Dry was around 91% lower at 12 hours and around 83% lower at 24 hours after TMR production compared to untreated control (Figure 2)

In the same study it was found that, as a result of the reduction in growth of yeast growth, increases in temperature of the TMR are delayed by at least 12 hours in TMR treated with Selko-TMR Dry (Figure 3).

Comparable effect are seen with Selko TMR liquid which delayed the increase of temperature by at least 6 hours in TMR treated with Selko-TMR liquid (Figure 4).

Selko ® | sharing latest scientific insights

Free techbook with expert insights

Download the ebook featuring the latest scientific insights on trace minerals and gain expert knowledge on optimizing ruminant production .

We've just sent you an email to confirm your request and provide further details. We appreciate your interest and look forward to helping you enhance your farming operations with the latest insights on trace minerals.

Enjoy your day, the Selko global marketing team

Selko ® | sharing latest scientific insights

Hydroxy trace minerals improve milk production, health & fertility

Several scientific trials have proven the effects of Selko Intellibond. Prof. Dr. Santos at the University of Florida has again shown great results of our Hydroxy Trace Mineral mixture for cows. Watch the videos from the latest webinar and discover how Hydroxy Trace Minerals like Selko Intellibond can increase colostrum production with 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) per cow per day and 1.4 kg ECM (3 lbs) per cow per day throughout the first 105 lactation days.

Maintain relatively higher milk yields for an extended period

Figure 5. Effect of 2kg/mt Selko TMR added to the TMR of dairy cows on average milk yield (kg/cow/day). (*p=0.07)

Brew of TMR reduces the nutritional value and affects palatability leading to a further reduction of feed intake, impacting animal performance. A study with Selko TMR liquid at Trouw Nutrition dairy research centre (Kempenshof, the Netherlands) showed that keeping TMR fresh helps to maintain relatively higher milk yields later in lactation and a less steep milk production decline later in lactation. At the start of the study, there was an insignificant difference of 0.3 kg/day (p=0.52) of milk production between the treatment groups. This difference increased towards the end of the study with the cows fed the TMR with Selko-TMR producing 1.7 kg/day more milk compared to the control (p=0.07; Figure 5).

Download research and documentation

You can access all of our documentation such as the science behind Selko research documents, Selko technical bulletins about transition management and technical product data sheets or feeding schedules.

Preserve the nutritional value and keep your TMR fresh

Growth of microorganisms in a TMR for dairy cattle can significantly impact dairy cow performance. Microbial growth in a TMR for dairy cattle leads to heating and fermentation, which reduces the palatability and nutritional value of dairy feed, ultimately affecting dairy cow health and lactational performance. Adding Selko TMR to the dairy ration results in a reduction of growth of micro-organisms, improved feed intake, and an increase of milk production of up to 1.7 kg ECM/day. Don’t let microbial growth in your dairy TMR impact your herd’s performance.

Register to download

Download product information for Selko-TMR

Or visit our download center for more information:

Register once and download all you need

We have just sent you an email. Follow the instructions in this email to complete your download. Notice that In some cases, spam filters can block automated emails. If you do not find the email in your inbox, please check your junk email folder.

Have a nice day!