Feed Fat Innovations

Insights from the Volac Wilmar LinkedIn Live Event 

The dairy industry is under increasing pressure to address environmental challenges, with methane emissions taking centre stage. During a recent LinkedIn Live session, Volac Wilmar experts, Dr. Richard Kirkland, Global Technical Manager, Paul Fransen, Technical Business Manager for Europe, and Laura Steeden, Feed Fat Marketing & Sustainability Manager, explored the role of rumen-protected fats in reducing methane emissions and enhancing dairy productivity. This discussion not only highlighted groundbreaking research but also served as an introduction to Mega-Fat 70, a newly launched product in the Megalac range. We’ve rounded up the key takeaways from the discussion in this article. 

The Methane Challenge: A Global Concern 

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has both practical uses and poses significant environmental challenges. While it powers homes and industries, its contribution to climate change cannot be ignored. Dr. Richard Kirkland emphasised that the dairy industry is under substantial pressure to reduce methane emissions. This is particularly challenging for farmers, who must meet environmental regulations while maintaining productivity. 

Volac Wilmar’s current research focuses on nutrition-based strategies to reduce methane emissions at the farm level. Rumen-protected fats have emerged as a promising solution, as they not only help to lower methane production but also improve dairy productivity, with benefits such as increased milk yield, enhanced milk fat and improved feed efficiency. 

How Rumen-Protected Fats Help

Unlike liquid oils, which can negatively impact rumen fermentation and fibre digestibility, rumen-protected fats are inert in the rumen and deliver the essential fat nutrient directly to the small intestine. Replacing fermentable organic matter with rumen-protected fat reduces methane production while supporting cow health and productivity. 

Dr. Richard Kirkland referenced current research findings from Cornell University in the U.S. and Wageningen University in the Netherlands. These studies provide valuable insights into reducing methane emissions through feeding rumen-protected fats.

The Cornell research has shown that incorporating these fats into dairy rations can lower methane emissions by more than 15% per litre of milk produced, accompanied by significant increases in milk production. The practical application of these findings is further supported by advancements in measurement technology, such as Green Feed stations, which provide real-time data on methane emissions at the farm level. Giving researchers a more-practical way to evaluate the effectiveness of feed adjustments under real-world conditions. 

Introducing Mega-Fat 70 

A highlight of this LinkedIn Live event was the introduction of Mega-Fat 70, a rumen-protected fat supplement which addresses issues of low milk fat and provides a source of energy to improve overall animal performance. Mega-Fat 70 is a unique and well-balanced formulation with 70% palmitic acid (C16:0), which boosts milk fat production, and 20% oleic acid (C18:1), which increases total diet fat digestibility to provide additional energy and supports fertility.  

Paul Fransen elaborated on the practical advantages of Mega-Fat 70 during the discussion. Its robust formulation ensures performance under varying pelleting conditions in feed mills, maintaining pellet durability and ensuring consistent quality, an essential consideration for feed mills and farmers alike, including when using automated milking systems. 

Bridging Research and Practice

During the discussion, Richard and Paul emphasised the importance of translating groundbreaking research into practical applications. Paul Fransen highlighted how combining U.S. and European data offers a comprehensive understanding of how rumen-protected fats perform across different farming systems. The journey from research to practice includes: 

• Field Trials: Testing Mega-Fat 70 under real-world conditions to validate its effectiveness. 

• Collaboration with Feed Mills: Ensuring the product integrates seamlessly into existing pelleting processes. 

• Government Incentives: In Germany, for example, there are programs for sustainable agriculture. While rumen-protected fats are not directly subsidised at present, farmers can benefit from general climate protection initiatives. 

The Future of Sustainable Dairy Farming 

Our discussion concluded with reflections on the potential benefits of feed fat innovations like Mega-Fat 70. While reducing methane remains a complex challenge, the combination of advanced nutrition and practical implementation offers a path forward for the dairy industry. Farmers can now achieve productivity gains while contributing to environmental sustainability - a true win-win for all stakeholders. 

You can now watch the whole livestream on-demand on our YouTube channel. For more information about Mega-Fat 70 and other Volac Wilmar products, visit www.megalac.com.