BIO-MOS^® and ACTIGEN^® Research

A recent global meta-analysis provides overwhelming evidence for the improved weight gain obtained by including Bio-Mos in milk or MR offered to pre-weaned calves (Berge, 2017). A total of 23 cohort studies were analysed where Bio-Mos was included at between 2–10 grams per day (mean 3.8 grams per day). Twenty-one studies reported an increased daily weight gain in calves fed Bio-Mos in milk or MR compared with control calves. The random effects meta-analysis model estimated that calves supplemented with Bio-Mos gained 64 grams per day more than control calves. The advantage in Bio-Mos-supplemented calves compared with control calves for MR feed was 55 grams per day increased weight gain, 71 grams per day weight gain for milk feed and 68 grams per day increased weight gain for waste milk/MR. Over an eight-week pre-weaning period, this would result in over 3.5 kilograms greater weaning weight.

A study performed by Penn State University indicated that calves fed one gram of Actigen per day in the MR grew 106 grams more per day compared with control calves. Also, the feed efficiency improved and the Actigen-supplemented calves needed 1.6 kilograms less feed to produce one kilogram of body weight. Actigen-supplemented calves also had less severe diarrhoea, and their natural defences were stimulated, indicated by significantly higher salivary and faecal IgA (Heinrichs et al., 2013).