The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Megasphaera elsdenii can improve rumen development, leading to improved calf growth
A series of trials conducted in South Africa reported that dosing calves with Megasphaera elsdenii, a native rumen microbe that converts lactate to butyrate and propionate, concluded that pre-weaned calves had longer and wider rumen papillae and increased papillae density. These findings correlated to a 39% increase in starter intake and an 8% increase in weaning weight. It also led to an 87% increase in average daily gain (lbs/day) post-weaning. The net result was a 25:1 return on investment with Lactipro.
In a follow-up trial conducted at the University of Kentucky, calves dosed with Lactipro had a 35% increase in total weight gain (through 76 days of age) following one dose of Lactipro, and a 45% increase in total weight gain following two doses of Lactipro.
Rumen health and development are crucial for a successful calf raising program. Providing a well-balanced nutrition program, along with beneficial probiotics can have a significant impact on the performance of your heifers and your bottom line.
Lactipro is available in two forms:
- LactiproFLX Calf is a small, individually sealed capsule available in a 25 dose pouch
- LactiproNXT is a convenient 10 mL oral drench available in a 20- and 100-dose pouch
Data available upon request.