Introducing an alka-based concentrate, Dugdale Nutrition’s AlkaFinisher, to a diet fed to a mix of finishing lambs reduced days to slaughter by 8%, there were 3% fewer lamb losses and overall and the feed proved safer to use compared with the control, a conventional nonalkaline feed.

The on-farm trial was run over 12 weeks as close to a controlled trial as possible with ages, breeds, environment the same in both groups, each with 100 lambs. The control feed was also balanced for starch, energy and protein to the alka-based feed.

Lamb performance: conventional v alkasystems concentrate

Source: Dugdale Nutrition

Compared with the group fed conventional concentrate, the AlkaFinisher fed lambs demonstrated less variability in DLWG, reduced time to slaughter and leaner growth – 46% more lambs graded within the R3L and U3L specification. There were no losses, compared with three lamb deaths fed conventional concentrate, and significantly less deductions at slaughter due to fewer liver abscesses.

For further information about AlkaFinisher, please contact your local Dugdale Nutrition sales representative https://www.dugdalenutrition.com/sales or call the Alka-line on +44(0)1200 613118