Benefits using sweet chestnut tannin in dairy cow nutrition International Dairy Workshop & Exhibition, Izmir, Turkey, April 28-29th, 2008 Benefits using sweet chestnut tannin in dairy cow nutrition University of Ljubljana Dep. Animal Science Slovenia

Formation of insoluble complexes between proteins and tannins In reticulo-rumen: Formation of insoluble complexes between proteins and tannins Partial inactivation of microorganisms Partial inactivation of enzymes In abomasum and small intestine: 1. Disintegration of insoluble complexes between proteins and tannins 2. Release of proteins and gallic acid

Tannin-protein complexes (effect of pH) Jones and Mangan, 1977

Effect of tannins on the production of ammonia and degradability of dry substance in vitro (regression coefficients of equation a + bx) Chestnut extract Ammonia a 65,25 b -5,14 IVDMDeg a 70,59 b -3,17 IVDMDig a 88,53 b -0,46 Gonzalez in sod., 2002

Effect of chestnut tannins on in vitro gas production and methanogenesis from starch Chestnut extract (mg/ml) 0 0.33 0.67 1.33 Total potential gas production (ml) 528a 505b 511b 508b Maximum fermentation rate (ml/h) 50.6a 42.1b 58.0a 43.8b Time of maximum fermentation rate (h) 8.9a 13.8b 8.9a 10.0ab Methane (ml/g DM) 18.9a 18.7a 16.6b 13.5c Metan (vol %) 4.8a 4.7b 4.5c 4.2d Sivka and Lavrenčič, 2007

Effective degradability of N (r = 0,05) of ground (G) and pelleted (P) soybean meal crude protein treated with chestnut tannins Lavrenčič et al., 2001

Evolution of in vitro ammonia concentration (mmol/l) Sliwinski et al., 2001

Daily evolution of pH value: feeding at 8:00 AM Northwest Engineering

Effect of chestnut tannins on milk yield (Errante et al., 1998) Tmax = 28°C Tmin = 17,5°C Differences in milk yield were not significant, except when the extreme temperature differences occurred (July 12th; Tmax-Tmin>10°C); average differnece in milk yield is 1,5 litres of milk

Effect of chestnut tannins on milk protein contents (Orešnik, 1996)

Effect of chestnut tannins on milk production and composition Control Chestnut Control Chestnut tannin tannin Milk production (kg) 23.5 23.8 19.0 19.5 Protein content (%) 3.26 3.25 3.37 3.49 Urea content (mg/l) 239 219 489 457 Lavrenčič and Suhoveršnik, 2006

Effect of FARMATAN on early weaned calves Number of animals: 62 early weaned Brown-swiss bulls (31 in control and 31 in trial group) Duration of trial: 3 months Farmantan*: 5 kg/t compound feed (prestarter, starter) * Farmatan with 55% of active substance Source: M. Štruklec, A. Orešnik, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1997

Nitrogen fractions (%) in grass silages prepared with chestnut tannins ab b a b c c Lavrenčič and Levart, 2006 a b c c

Chestnut tannin (g/kg fresh grass) 0 3 15 30 Contents of volatile fatty acids (g/kg DM) in grass silages prepared with different amounts of chestnut extract Chestnut tannin (g/kg fresh grass) 0 3 15 30 Lactic acid 101,1a 95,8a 80,6b 80,9b Acetic acid 17,9 15,8 11,6 16,8 Propionic acid 0,09 0,08 0,09 0,08 Butyric acid 1,31 1,21 0,16 0,09 pH 3,85ab 3,78b 3,84ab 3,92a Lavrenčič and Levart, 2006

Important advantages in ruminants nutrition chestnut tannins: - improve milk persistence (increase milk yield) - increase milk protein yield - lower the milk urea concentration - improve silage fermentation process and increase protein utilization from silage - lower the incidence of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF FARMATAN IN RUMINANT NUTRITION RUMINANTS Dosages Dairy cows 2 – 5 kg/ton of compound feed 5 – 10 g/day per animal – starch containing diets 5 – 20 g/day per animal – maize silage containing diets 10 – 20 g/day per animal – soluble protein containing diets 20 – 40 g/day per animal – in stress conditions Fattening 15 – 30 g/day per animal 0,3 % of protein content in supplemental compound feeds Small ruminants (sheep, goat) 3 – 5 kg/ton of compound feed 1,5 – 10 g/day per animal Calves (rearing, white meat production) 1 – 3 kg/ton of compound feed 3 – 5 g/day per animal