B.FLT.1019 - Effectiveness of enzyme formulations for removing dags on cattle in feedlots

Summary

Dags are a major issue to the Australian and international feedlot industry, causing significant costs to feedlots and processors, water usage and animal stress. Previous work by QUT funded by MLA developed an enzymatic formulation for breaking down the dag-hair bond which was shown to be effective in laboratory trials. The primary objective of this project is to further refine the previously developed formulation into a formulation that is practical and easy to apply and then test its effectiveness in a commercial setting.

Objectives

The objectives of this project are as follows:
1. To develop a protease formulation from project 'New enzyme systems for removal of dags from feedlot cattle' (B.FLT.0228) into a practical, easy to use formulation for removal of dags on cattle in feedlots.
2. Undertake studies of the candidate formulations in fully blinded livestock trials at a commercial feedlot. This involves a pilot study on the basis of results from objective 1 at a commercial feedlot. Will also involve larger scale studies to fully measure and quantify effectiveness of formulations including the food safety aspect.
3. Perform an economic assessment of the new formulation to inform the business case for deployment with data in a suitable format for the MLA feedlot ROI modelling tool.
4. Develop commercialisation term sheets.

Key findings

This project was terminated early and did not deliver the work beyond milestone 3. The research team delivered a milestone report detailing the results of the development of the dag removal formulation, testing and validation of foam production and application devices, an evaluation of enzyme stability and an economic assessment of the potential new formulations. The product did not prove effective in objective tests.

Benefits to industry

As this project was terminated prior to completion, the benefit to industry was not delivered. This project was expected to deliver a practical, easy to use formulation that can be applied to cattle and help reduce problems caused by dags.

MLA action

Presently, MLA is not pursuing further research in this area. An online summary for this project is being shared on the MLA R&D reports website.

Future research

The work conducted prior to project termination resulted in the recommendation that foamers with a low dilution factor may be required for enzyme application. This will eliminate the need for highly concentrated solutions. Further investigation into surfactant formulation chemistry may be required if future research is conducted. The formulations developed up until the termination of the project did not prove efficacious. Additionally, further testing to refine application time frames may be required.

The enzyme tested in the final round of efficacy trials showed poor results, and further research using this enzyme would require a higher concentration to obtain results.