Precision Microbes was delighted to return to the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships this year to introduce our latest innovation in cattle nutrition: Rumo-STIM.

Developed specifically for cattle, Rumo-STIM is a liquid complementary feed designed to support rumen function during periods of nutritional challenge and dietary change.

The launch generated considerable interest from farmers and veterinary professionals over the three days, particularly around one simple question:

When the diet changes or rumen function is challenged, how can we better support the cow through that transition?

Supporting the engine of the cow

The rumen is at the centre of the cow’s ability to convert feed into energy and nutrients.

It is also a complex microbial fermentation system containing an enormous population of microorganisms working together to break down the diet.

When feed conditions change, that microbial system has to adapt.

That might be a sudden change in grass quality, moving from grazing to silage, a ration change, reduced feed intake, nutritional upset or a period when a cow simply isn’t eating and ruminating as she normally would.

These are the situations that informed the development of Rumo-STIM.

What is Rumo-STIM?

Rumo-STIM combines several complementary components in a fermented liquid formulation, including:

• Live Lactobacillus bacteria
• Fermentation-derived postbiotic metabolites
• A phytogenic herbal base
• A yeast-derived fraction

Rather than looking at one ingredient in isolation, Rumo-STIM has been developed as a complementary feed to support rumen function when the cow is experiencing nutritional challenge or change.

When could Rumo-STIM be considered?

Rumo-STIM isn’t simply an autumn grazing product.

Rumen challenges can occur in many different production systems and at different times of year.

Changes between grass and housed diets, introduction of silage, ration changes, periods of reduced feed intake and nutritional upsets can all create periods when supporting normal rumen function becomes particularly important.

The starting point should always be the cow.

Is she eating normally? Is she ruminating? Has dung consistency changed? Has milk production or milk composition changed? Has the diet changed recently?

These signals can help farmers, vets and nutritionists decide whether the underlying diet or management requires further investigation.

A simple four-day feeding protocol

One of the important features of Rumo-STIM is its straightforward feeding protocol for adult cattle:

250 ml per cow, once daily, for four consecutive days.

Rumo-STIM is available in 1-litre and 5-litre packs, allowing it to be used for an individual cow or across a larger group depending on circumstances.

It is intended as nutritional support and should sit alongside appropriate veterinary and nutritional investigation where animals are unwell or performance changes unexpectedly.

From the Innovation Arena to the farm

The National Ploughing Championships gave us the perfect opportunity to launch Rumo-STIM because innovation only becomes valuable when it works in the real world.

Some of the most interesting conversations we had weren’t simply about the product. They were about the cows themselves — what farmers were seeing, how diets were changing and the signals that tell us when rumen function may be under pressure.

That is exactly where we believe Rumo-STIM has a role.

Different diets. Different production systems. The same fundamental biology: look after the rumen.

For more information on Rumo-STIM from Precision Microbes, including its use and feeding protocol, speak to your veterinary adviser or Precision Microbes representative.

Rumo-STIM — supporting rumen function when nutrition changes.