Mould growth is a common problem in livestock feedstuffs, resulting in poor feed hygiene, loss of nutrient quality and can have a detrimental impact on animal health and performance.
Liquid propionic acid, the EU registered feed preservative, is commonly used to help control mould in animal feed. The benefits of propionic acid are further enhanced when combined with acetic and sorbic acid due to their synergistic relationship, maintaining optimal feed hygiene.
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Mould growth in forage and feed, on farm pre- and post-harvest, is a common problem that results in loss of nutrients, reduced feed intake and production of secondary fungal metabolites.
Secondary fungal metabolites rarely exist in isolation and therefore even at relatively low levels, they can have negative implications on livestock performance, fertility and increase susceptibility to secondary infections.
Moldgard is part of Anpario's Acid Based Eubiotics (ABE) range and consists of a synergistic blend of propionic, acetic and sorbic acids formulated onto a unique mineral carrier to ensure maximum efficacy
An independent trial was conducted using broiler feed with a dry matter of 88.5 percent and moisture content of 15 percent. Samples were allocated to three treatments; a negative control with no feed additives (NC), a positive control treated with 0.5 kg/t of propionic acid (98%) (PC) and treatment with 0.5 kg/t Moldgard (Moldgard) and incubated at 22 ˚C for seven weeks. Mould growth was analysed at days 0, 28 and 49 of incubation.
The results showed the feed sample with no additives (NC) had 142.3 and 280 x106 cfu of mould propagules on days 28 and 49 respectively. Analysis also indicated presence of the secondary fungal metabolites Aspergillus, Fusarium and Paecilomyces.
Samples treated with 98 percent propionic acid (PC) demonstrated effective mould control compared to NC, however, it allowed mould growth over time.
The synergistic acid blend of Moldgard provided superior protection, preventing mould growth over the seven week period and therefore helping to control against populations of secondary fungal metabolites.
Visit the Anpario website, HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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