ADM Unveils New Feed Solution That Unlocks Nutrients for Optimized Dairy Performance

ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, aspires to feed the world sustainably by unlocking the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. In animal nutrition, ADM focuses on the economic sustainability of farmers, providing nutritional solutions to minimize losses and help animals achieve their full potential. To assist dairy farmers in supporting rumen fermentation, fiber degradability and milk performance while managing feed costs, ADM has developed a synergistic combination of ingredients named Digest Carb. It was introduced for European markets at SPACE 2025, a key international trade show for livestock farming professionals held in western France, and Digest Carb will soon be launched in other regional markets worldwide.

"With feed accounting for up to 60–70% of total production expenses, maximizing feed efficiency is essential for dairy farmers," explained Gaelle Benzoni, Vice President, Animal Nutrition R&D, ADM. "Enhancing rumen fermentation improves nutrient release—enabling cows to extract more energy from the same amount of feed—and boosts milk production. Digest Carb is a result of five years of rigorous research and development, and we’re proud to share it with European dairy operations focused on performance, robustness and environmental impact."

Digest Carb is a combination of ingredients that maximize the rumen's use of different energy sources, including starch, fiber and sugars. Validated through on-farm research trials, this solution has demonstrated improvement on milk yields and the energy formulation of feed. Specifically, during a 12-week trial conducted in France, Holstein cows supplemented with Digest Carb produced an average of 2.7 kg more milk per day compared to the control group. Across all parities, milk protein (kg/d) increased by 4.5%, highlighting the product’s positive impact on lactation performance.

A key innovation of Digest Carb is its feed value matrix, developed to support precise feed formulation. Compatible with commercial formulation software, the matrix allows nutritionists and feed millers to optimize rations by substituting high-energy ingredients like grains with more fibrous materials. This flexibility supports more economical feeding strategies without compromising the cow's energy supply. It also contributes to environmental sustainability by improving nutrient utilization, which helps to reduce waste.