Their structure resembles a rigid, microscopic sponge that electrostatically attracts positive or polar atoms and molecules.
There are about 200 synthetic (man-made) and natural zeolites with different properties. Certain natural zeolites, that possess particular structural characteristics and carry a particular balance of cations, have been shown to significantly improve milk production and properties along with improving animal health and body condition score, particularly useful going into calving.
New Zealand has some of the best zeolites suited to rumen modification.
NZ forage diets are typically high in protein. Excess nitrogen in proteins consumed is converted to ammonia in the rumen. Excess ammonia is toxic and detoxification requires energy. Ruminants do their best to recycle excess ammonia but do so inefficiently and at the expense of health and productivity.
Typical dairy cows will use only about 20% of the nitrogen they consume – 5-10% is recycled by the animal and excreted in the saliva to be re-ingested. The rest has to be expelled from the body.
Typically, more than half of it is excreted in the soluble form of urea in the urine, resulting in not only a significant drain on the animal’s energy, kidneys and liver but also environmental pollution.
Don’t waste energy. Turn it into milk and visit www.optimate.co.nz to find out more about zeolite-based rumen modifiers. Also visit the Optimate stand at Fieldays, PC28.
