Written by John Swire
A UK-grown sustainable feed that can replace soya in dairy cow rations has scooped this year’s Royal Dairy Innovation Award at Dairy-Tech Online yesterday (Wednesday 10 February).
NovaPro from Trident Feeds is a high energy rumen-protected protein made from UK rapeseed. With proven performance benefits including improved intakes and milk yield, it can also provide a cost-effective alternative to soya.
Trials run by the University of Nottingham found rations containing NovaPro produced an additional 1.7 litres of milk per cow per day compared to a soya and rape ration, with no significant effect on milk constituents.
Rape protein also has an improved amino acid profile more similar to milk protein than soya. On-farm trials showed improved protein utilisation, with a significant reduction in milk urea nitrogen levels, meaning less nitrogen pollution on farm.
Dairy farmer and RABDF Council Member Tim Downes, who judged the award with Dr Mark Young from sponsors CIEL and last year’s winner Phil Cullinan from Zoetis, said NovaPro was a British-owned solution to reduce soya use.
“NovaPro is making the best use of a product from rape oil production and something that is economically strong. The figures presented to us suggest milk yield and health are at least as good as when feeding soya.”
Commenting on the win Dr Michael Marsden, Product Development Director at Trident Feeds, said: “We are extremely excited and pleased to win the award. We believe NovaPro will have a huge effect on the protein supply to the dairy industry and the ability to lower the environmental footprint of the dairy ration.”
The Royal Dairy Innovation Award is an annual award that recognises new and innovative technologies in the dairy sector.
The two runners up were Carbon Check and Lely Sphere. Carbon Check is a package enabling farmers and landowners to accurately monitor, record and benchmark carbon levels within their soils. Lely Sphere is a housing system separating manure and urine allowing farmers to make more precise applications, reduce fertiliser use, and cut ammonia emissions.
Dairy-Tech Online is an online event running on weekdays from 3-17 February. To view the programme of activity and to register for free go to dairy-tech.uk/
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