Trial Site: Golzow, Brandenburg, Germany
Animals: 126 Holstein dairy replacement heifers, initial liveweight approx 485kg
Commencement Date: 8th May 2007
The heifers were split into 2 groups to be pregnancy synchronised at grass. Animals were weighed at the start of the trial, during mid-season (mid July) and at housing (end October). Both groups had access to plentiful grazing in adjacent fields with the Crystalyx group having access to Crystalyx Forage Plus to appetite. Rock salt was fed on free access to both groups.
Results
| Period 1 (72 days) | Control | Crystalyx |
| Start weight (8th May)(kg) | 478 | 492 |
| Mid-weight (19th July)(kg) | 513 | 546 |
| Average LWG in period (kg) | 35 | 54 |
| Ave. DLWG in period (kg/d) | 0.482 | 0.755 (+55%) |
Crystalyx intakes averaged 152g/heifer/day during the period
| Period 2 (103 days) | Control | Crystalyx |
| Start weight (19th July)(kg) | 513 | 546 |
| Final weight (30th Oct)(kg) | 584 | 635 |
| Average LWG in period (kg) | 71 | 89 |
| Ave. DLWG in period (kg) | 0.695 | 0.857 (+23%) |
Crystalyx intakes averaged 106g/heifer/day during the period
| OVERALL RESULTS (175 days) | Control | Crystalyx |
| Start weight (8th May) (kg) | 478 | 492 |
| Final weight (30th Oct) (kg) | 584 | 635 |
| Total liveweight gain (kg) | 106 | 143 (+37kg) |
| Average DLWG (kg/d) | 0.60 | 0.82 (+36%) |
Crystalyx intakes averaged 130g/heifer/day during the trial
| PREGNANCY RESULTS | Control | Crystalyx |
| No heifers | 60 | 66 |
| No heifers pregnant | 48 | 61 |
| % heifers pregnant | 80 | 92 (+15%) |
Grass availability was plentiful throughout the trial for both groups of heifers, but yet again, even with relatively modest Crystalyx intakes the benefits of having Crystalyx available to growing cattle at grass has been clearly demonstrated.
And how does Crystalyx perform financially? Heifers with access to Crystalyx Forage Plus gained an extra 37kg liveweight at grass, which, if given a very modest value of $3.00/kg is worth an extra $111.00 having consumed $43.20 worth of Crystalyx, so we are still saying DOUBLE YOUR MONEY FEEDING CRYSTALYX AT GRASS.
But what value can be put on the extra 15% pregnant heifers? If Crystalyx can justify itself on the increased liveweight alone then the improved pregnancy rates are a DOUBLE BONUS! It really does take some licking!
