Healthier Cows, Better Rumen Function.
University Proven.
Lincoln University research shows AgriSea Animal Nutrition improves antioxidant status, boosts rumen energy production by up to 26%, and supports better body condition — at just 5ml per cow per day.
What This Means for Your Cows — In Plain English
This research measured things that directly affect how well your cows perform through winter and into calving. Here's what the two key findings actually mean on-farm:
Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs)
More Energy from the Same Feed
VFAs are the main energy source your cow gets from rumen fermentation — they're how grass and silage actually turn into milk, body condition, and calf growth. A 26% increase in total VFA means your cows are extracting significantly more energy from every mouthful of feed, without changing what you're feeding them.
Why it matters: Better feed conversion = cows holding condition through winter, less supplementary feed needed, and cows that calve in better shape. That flows straight to milk production, fertility, and fewer vet bills.
Total Antioxidant Status (TAS)
Cows That Handle Stress Better
TAS measures your cow's ability to fight oxidative stress — the cellular damage caused by calving, weather, feed changes, and disease challenge. Control cows' TAS dropped over the trial, while AgriSea-treated cows maintained theirs.
At the same time, GPx (glutathione peroxidase) — an enzyme that rises when the body is fighting stress — was lower in treated cows. Lower GPx + stable TAS = cows that aren't under as much internal pressure.
Why it matters: Cows with better antioxidant status have stronger immune function, recover faster from calving, and are more resilient to the challenges of a NZ dairy system — mud, weather, metabolic load.
"Cows supplemented with AgriSea displayed improved antioxidant status and reduced oxidative stress. This may be due to improved energy status from better fermentation, or from the phenolic compounds in the marine seaweed."
— Beck, Gregorini, Bradley & Browne, Lincoln University 2019
The Power of Higher VFA Production
Volatile fatty acids are the currency of rumen efficiency. They're the end product of microbial fermentation — the process that turns grass, silage and supplements into usable energy for your cow. When VFA production is higher, every aspect of cow performance benefits.
More Milk from the Same Feed
Acetic acid is the primary precursor for milk fat synthesis. Fortress+ cows produced 25% more acetic acid than control cows — that's the building block of butterfat, generated from the same diet.
Better Body Condition
More total VFA means more energy available for maintenance and body reserves. This is likely why both AgriSea groups had statistically higher BCS than untreated cows (p<0.01).
Faster Calf Growth
Propionic acid drives glucose production, which fuels foetal growth and colostrum quality. Fortress+ cows had 34% more propionic acid than control cows.
Less Bought-In Feed Needed
When your cows convert feed more efficiently, you need less supplementary feed to achieve the same result. At 5–7c per cow per day, the maths is compelling.
Fortress+ cows produced 26% more total VFA than control cows. Animal Nutrition cows produced 9% more. Both from the same lucerne silage diet — the only difference was a 5ml daily dose.
Total VFA Production Comparison
All cows fed the same lucerne silage diet | 5ml daily dose
The Data: Animal Health & Condition
Blood samples were analysed alongside weekly body condition scoring to build a picture of cow health and resilience over the 143-day trial.
| Health Marker | Control | Animal Nutrition | Fortress+ | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Condition Score | 4.27 | 4.43 | 4.47 | p < 0.01 |
| TAS (antioxidant status) | 1.00 | 1.15 | 1.04 | p < 0.01 |
| GPx, U/ml (stress marker) | 67.50 | 57.44 | 54.93 | p < 0.01 |
Body Condition Score
Higher BCS = cows holding condition better through winter dry period
Oxidative Stress (GPx Activity)
Lower GPx = less oxidative stress on the cow
What This Means on Your Farm
Better Feed Conversion
26% more VFA from the same feed means your cows are getting more out of every kg of silage or pasture. That's free energy you're currently leaving on the table.
Cows Hold Condition
Statistically significant BCS improvement (p<0.01) means cows go into calving in better shape — fewer metabolic issues, better colostrum, and a stronger start to lactation.
Stronger Immune Function
Lower oxidative stress and better antioxidant status means cows that are more resilient to calving stress, weather changes, and disease challenge during the highest-risk period.
Reduced Supplement Costs
When cows extract more energy from every kg of pasture and silage, you need less bought-in feed to maintain condition. At 5–7c per cow per day, the return on investment is compelling.
Which Product Is Right for You?
Both products showed significant benefits in this trial. Here's how they compare:
Animal Nutrition
The core AgriSea animal supplement — fermented Ecklonia radiata seaweed extract delivering a full spectrum of minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and prebiotics.
- • +9% Total VFA production
- • Improved BCS (p<0.01)
- • 15% reduction in GPx (oxidative stress)
- • Higher TAS (antioxidant status)
Fortress+
AgriSea Animal Nutrition enhanced with a terrestrial plant extract for maximum rumen support and antioxidant protection.
- • +26% Total VFA production
- • Best BCS improvement (4.47 vs 4.27)
- • 19% reduction in GPx (lowest stress)
- • Higher TAS (antioxidant status)
At just 5–7 cents per cow per day, the cost for a 400-cow herd over a 143-day dry period is approximately $2,860–$4,004. If that investment means your herd calves in better condition, with stronger immune systems and more efficient rumen function — the payback through milk production and reduced vet costs is substantial.
About the Trial
This research was conducted at the Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm from May to September 2018. It was designed to measure the effect of AgriSea's seaweed-based products on late-gestating dairy cows during the critical dry period before calving.
9 rumen-cannulated and 18 non-cannulated dry dairy cows (n=9 per treatment) were maintained on lucerne silage (14 kg/hd/day). Treatments were applied daily via oral drench at 5ml per head per day. Samples were taken at days 0, 39, and 80.
Research by M.R. Beck & P. Gregorini (Lincoln University, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences) in collaboration with C. Bradley & A. Browne (AgriSea New Zealand Ltd).
Give Your Herd the Advantage
Talk to your local AgriSea Field Consultant about incorporating Animal Nutrition or Fortress+ into your dry cow programme.
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