Natural rumen buffering Powering performance
Natural rumen buffering: Powering performance LithoNutri is a natural product, derived from calcified red marine algae (Lithothamnium), with a unique honeycomb microstructure. It is valued for its ability to provide a sustained buffering effect in the rumen, and for its distinctive mineral profile.
Supporting a productive rumen A productive rumen is at the heart of good animal performance. But highperforming dairy and beef cattle can be at greater risk of rumen pH reducing, particularly when diets contain high levels of concentrates or acidic silage. When this happens, fibre digestion, performance and feed efficiency can reduce.
LithoNutri is naturally rich in calcium carbonate. In acidic conditions, carbonate ions absorb the hydrogen ions that drive acidity, helping reduce acid build-up and stabilise rumen pH. This keeps the rumen closer to its optimum pH range, allowing microbes to work more effectively and supporting animal performance.
By supporting rumen pH with a long-acting buffering effect, LithoNutri promotes: Improved feed conversion efficiency Improved milk quality Increased digestibility of NDF, starch and crude protein Improved liveweight gain in beef cattle
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Helping reduce the risk of SARA Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can occur when the rumen stays too acidic for too long. It is particularly common in high-performing cattle fed diets containing high levels of rapidly fermentable concentrate, acidic silage, or insufficient effective fibre. When rumen pH reduces, the balance of rumen microbes can be disrupted. This can affect how efficiently feed is digested and utilised. An effective rumen buffer can help manage excess acidity and maintain a more stable rumen pH, creating better conditions for the microbes responsible for breaking down feed.
Potential signs of SARA in cattle SARA can be difficult to identify because affected cattle may not show obvious symptoms.
Look out for the following symptoms: Reduced or variable feed intake Reduced rumination Loose or inconsistent dung, often containing undigested feed Reduced or variable milk yield or reduced growth rate in beef cattle Loss of body condition Reductions in butterfat content of milk By supporting a more stable rumen environment, LithoNutri helps reduce the nutritional risk of SARA and supports efficient feed utilisation and more consistent animal performance.
When should I feed LithoNutri? LithoNutri should be considered at high SARA-risk periods when diets are putting downward pressure on rumen pH.
These include: Acidic grass silage and maize silage High levels of starch-rich concentrate feed Forages with low levels of structural fibre e.g. spring grazing
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LithoNutri in the fight against SARA LithoNutri shows long-lasting buffering capability but is effective over a narrower pH band. Laboratory tests have shown that LithoNutri works across a narrow pH band, with initial results indicating that the product maintains a pH range of between 5 and 8. This could be beneficial to reducing the risk of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) and improving microbial activity.
LithoNutri ®
Sustained buffering effect
Particle size differentiation
Calcareous red marine algae products have a unique honeycomb microstructure which aids rumen buffering.
Laboratory testing has shown LithoNutri has a greater mean particle size than typical buffer products. Its more granular profile may offer practical handling advantages and a safer working environment.
The natural honeycomb internal structure of LithoNutri particles increases surface area, promoting more effective and sustained dissolution and pH buffering in the rumen. When rumen pH is under pressure this sustained activity helps support a more stable rumen environment for longer, helping to keep cattle at optimum performance.
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Typical buffer
This may be particularly helpful to those operating in mills, blending plants and onfarm environments where fine powders can create dust when being tipped, increasing product loss and making routine handling more challenging.
Benefits to dairy herds Milk yield and composition benefits Where SARA is a risk, LithoNutri can help to increase milk yield and improve butterfat levels. Research* has shown that cattle receiving a marine algae buffer produced more energycorrected milk (ECM) than cattle fed a sodium bicarbonate buffer. A greater energy-corrected milk value indicates cows were more efficiently turning feed into milk value. This is likely due to a more stable rumen, created by the addition of the marine algae buffer.
Benefits to beef animals Intensively-reared beef animals often rely on high levels of dietary starch to drive fast growth rates and efficient finishing. This can create a SARA risk, as starch ferments into lactic acid, putting downward pressure on rumen pH. Recent work (Oceana) has shown that feeding LithoNutri in these situations increases nutrient digestibility in the rumen, evidencing improved rumen conditions. Practically, this was coupled with improved liveweight gain, resulting in better feed conversion efficiency. *Comparison of marine algae-based rumen buffer with sodium bicarbonate buffer and its role in increasing milk value. Journal of Dairy Research, 2024
Dairy cattle
Growth stage
Beef cattle
Feeding rates for LithoNutri
Diet inclusion
Inclusion rate of LithoNutri
Semi-intensive
60-90 grams/animal/day
Intensive/High cereal
70-100 grams/animal/day
Inclusion rate of LithoNutri
Lactating cows
Inclusion of 1% in concentrate or 70-120 grams/head/day
Growing heifers
20-25 grams/animal/day
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LithoNutri storage information
25kg
1,200kg
3 year
bags available
tote bags available
shelf life from manufacturing date
Blend
Compound
To be stored on pallets in a dry and ventilated place, protected from sunlight
Application Farmpack
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Mineral
Biosprint® MUCL 39885 Biosprint is an EU-registered probiotic live yeast which optimises feed efficiency and animal performance, resulting in efficient and profitable production. It is highly concentrated (15 bn CFU/gram), meaning it can be fed at a low inclusion rate, leaving valuable space in the ration for other nutrients.
What does yeast do in the rumen? Biosprint helps create the right conditions for the beneficial bacteria in the rumen to thrive. It does this by using up oxygen in the rumen, this promotes activity of the fibre-digesting bateria. Yeast also produces enzymes which promote fermentation. The result is more complete fibre fermentation, helping the animal get more from its feed.
The result is faster and more complete fibre fermentation, helping the animal get more from its feed.
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Why feed Biosprint? By supporting the conditions needed for beneficial rumen bacteria to work effectively, Biosprint helps support fibre digestion and the conversion of lactic acid into more useful fermentation end-products.
This can help support: Higher feed intake through more rapid rumen emptying More bacterial protein production More free fatty acid production More energy available to the animal Lower risk of high urea levels in milk Less ammonia in the rumen
Fine-tuning the rumen In high-performance systems, a live yeast such as Biosprint can be fed all year round to help fine-tune rumen function and support efficient use of the ration.
Benefits Increases milk yield by up to 2 litres/head/day Improves feed conversion efficiency Improves weight gain in beef cattle Reduces the risk of feed-related digestive upsets Stimulates dry mater intake
Biosprint FarmMix Dairy
For lactating dairy cows 40 - 50 grams/head/day
Beef
34 grams/head/day
How to feed Top dress, mixed with cereals or incorporated into a TMR
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Help address heat stress challenges Research with Biosprint in dairy cows under heat stress conditions has shown improvements in dry matter intake and fibre digestibility, which in turn led to a higher milk output and milk fat percentage.
Biosprint helps address heat stress challenges
METABOLISM & HEALTH
PERFORMANCE
Inflammation & immunodeficiency
Dry matter intake
Rumen buffering capacity
Milk yield
SARA susceptibility
Milk quality
Mastitis & lameness risk
Somatic Cell Count (SCC)
Health-related costs
Rumen response to heat stress: a ripple effect
Respiration
Reduced DM intake
Saliva production
Rumination
Altered microbiota
HCO, buffer
Sorting behaviour
Rumen buffer
Rumen pH
SARA risk
How Biosprint supports rumen stability
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3
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OXYGEN UPTAKE
MICROBIOTA STABILITY AND STIMULATION
RUMEN pH STABILITY
IMPROVED FEED CONVERSION RATE
PERFORMANCE SUPPORT
Supports stable rumen fermentation
Improves nutrient availability and utilisation
Supports milk yield, quality and feed efficiency
Creates anaerobic rumen conditions
Supports fibrolytic and lactate-utilising bacteria
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LithoNutri and Biosprint working together LithoNutri and Biosprint support the rumen in different but complementary ways.
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LithoNutri is a mineral buffer, helping neutralise acid and supporting a steadier rumen pH when diets place pressure on the rumen. Biosprint is a live yeast, supporting and promoting the fibre-digesting bacteria within the rumen’s microbial population. Together, they support both the chemistry and biology of the rumen, helping high-performing cattle make more of every kilo of dry matter consumed.
“LithoNutri helps manage the chemistry of the rumen. Biosprint helps support the biology.”
Use scenarios 1
High SARA-risk periods Where diets are putting downward pressure on rumen pH, LithoNutri is recommended. This may be when high-starch, low fibre diets are being fed, spring turnout, or when cattle are consuming large volumes of acidic forage. In these situations, the priority is to support rumen stability and help keep pH closer to the optimum ‘working zone’. During a defined SARA-risk period, LithoNutri may be used on its own as the primary rumen support.
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High-performance systems In high-yielding dairy herds or intensive beef systems, LithoNutri and Biosprint can be used together to support the rumen in a dual approach. LithoNutri provides mineral buffering when acid load is a risk, while Biosprint helps to fine-tune the rumen microbial environment. In these systems, Biosprint may be fed continuously, with LithoNutri included during high acidrisk periods, or continuously where high-concentrate feeding means the rumen is under pressure every day.
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Q. How does LithoNutri support rumen stability? A.
Its mineral composition means it’s naturally rich in different forms of calcium carbonate. Under mildly acidic rumen conditions, carbonate ions help neutralise acid produced during fermentation, supporting a steadier rumen environment when acid load increases.
Q. How is LithoNutri different f rom other buffers? A.
LithoNutri offers mineral-based buffering from a natural marine algae source, with laboratory testing showing sustained buffering activity within a tighter pH band, and a more granular particle profile compared to leading competitor products.
Q. What is the benef it of LithoNutri for high-performance systems? A.
By helping support rumen stability, LithoNutri can help create the conditions needed for effective fermentation which drives greater feed utilisation and can lead to milk and growth performance gains.
Q. When should I feed LithoNutri? A. LithoNutri should be considered when diets are putting downward pressure on rumen pH. These include:
Acidic grass silage and maize silage High levels of starch-rich concentrate feed Forages with low levels of structural fibre e.g. spring grazing
Q. When should I feed Biosprint? A.
Biosprint is best positioned when the rumen microbial environment needs fine-tuning to support day-to-day rumen efficiency in high-performing dairy and beef cattle.
Q. Can LithoNutri and Biosprint be used together? A.
Yes. LithoNutri supports the chemistry of the rumen through mineral buffering, while Biosprint supports the biology of the rumen through the activity of a live yeast.
Q. Do I need to feed both products together? A.
Not always. LithoNutri is the first consideration where acid load is the main challenge. Biosprint should be used for high performing dairy and beef cattle, in all ration situations, to help the rumen operate as efficiently as possible where ongoing microbial support is required.
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Let’s talk
Euan Hart
Luke Morgan
Trade Team Leader (GB)
Account Manager, Ireland
+44(0)7900 742590 euan.hart@fevara.com
+44(0)7767 460271 luke.morgan@fevara.com
David Morgan Regional Sales Manager, Ireland
+44(0)7767 167610 david.morgan@fevara.com
Aled Evans-Hughes Trade Account Manager
+44(0)7790 372828 aled.hughes@fevara.com
Lauren Evans
Keely Drage Trade Account Manager
Trade Account Manager
+44(0) 7977 172995 lauren.evans@fevara.com
+44(0)7812 425613 keely.drage@fevara.com
Harriet Tibbs Trade Account Manager
+44(0)7974 888478 harriet.tibbs@fevara.com
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