The mineralization of the dairy herd at the Grignon-AgroParisTech experimental farm has had a significant effect on the animals’ productivity but also on the quality of their production and their state of health.
After a first positive trial in 2010 on enteric methane emissions from dairy cows consuming TMA mineral, a new trial was launched in 2018 on the herd of the Grignon-AgroParisTech experimental farm. The goal of this new experiment was to measure the effect of the mineral TMA on the quality of production and the health of dairy cows.
In the herd of 165 producers, two batches of 52 cows were set up for 13 weeks. The rations are strictly identical in each lot. The only difference is the mineral intake:
| Control | TMCE | |
| Mineral | 0,25 kg (Ca, P, Se, Vit, …) | 0,4 kg TMA + self-service |
| Bicarbonate | 0,15 kg | 0 kg |
| Chalk | 0,04 kg | 0 kg |
An increase in milk production
Teams at the experimental farm observed that milk production for the TMA batch is on average +0.7 kg of raw milk per LV/d. Daily fat synthesis is equivalent in the 2 batches. On the other hand, daily protein synthesis increased significantly in the TMA batch (+22 g/day).
From the beginning of the trial, the intake of TMA modifies the distribution of the different fatty acids in the milk. Saturated fatty acids, especially palmitic acid, decreased in favor of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Indeed, the consumption of TMA seems to promote the synthesis of fatty acids from the ration rather than from the animal’s body reserves.
20% lower ketone production
Thus, the body condition of the animals is better and the production of ketone bodies is almost 20% lower in the TMA batch. Body reserves are less mobilized. The consequences on the health of the cows, especially the highly productive dairy cows, are numerous. Lower ketone production reduces metabolic problems and protects the liver. With TMA, the fertility of the animals is logically improved and the indicators prove it:
| No . IA/DC fertilized | No. AI/DC unfertilized | % of successful AI | % of cows without AI | Evolution of pregnancies number | |
| Control | 1,67 | 1,93 | 44% | 22% | +16 |
| TMCE | 1,47 | 1,64 | 52% | 15% | +23 |
The anoestrus (or lack of heat) is strongly decreased and the success rate in AI is better. The result is a significantly higher number of pregnant cows at the end of the observation period than the control. Genetic selection can then be done by choice, not by default. This is a major economic gain in the medium and long term for the whole herd.
Conclusions of AgroParistech study
The TMA allowed :
- Maintain food efficiency by increasing milk production
- To modify AGV productions in the rumen :
- A daily synthesis of equivalent GM (+3g) but a significant increase in PM (+22g)
- A positive change in the fatty acid profile of milk due to a decrease in saturated fatty acids (especially C16:0).
- Reduced mobilization of body reserves
- A significant improvement in fertility and fertility.