Revolutionizing Protein Supplementation for Ranchers
Many ranchers glance at the label on a Riomax tub and ask, “Where’s the protein?” It’s a fair question. Traditional protein tubs boast percentages between 20-30%, so how does Riomax meet your cow’s protein needs without the same numbers? The answer lies in a revolutionary approach that focuses on maximizing efficiency and leveraging the power of microbes to achieve better results—all while saving costs.
A Different Approach to Protein Supplementation
Conventional protein tubs work like a supplement- they're adding protein directly to the cow's existing diet. Think of it like a human having a protein bar to meet their protein goals. These protein tubs often contain around 20% protein, requiring cattle to consume a pound or more daily to meet their nutritional needs. While effective, this method can quickly become expensive.
Riomax takes a different approach. Instead of directly feeding the cow protein, Riomax focuses on feeding the microbes in her rumen. These microbes act like probiotics, enhancing gut health and breaking down the cow’s forage more efficiently. By boosting microbial activity and population, Riomax allows cows to extract more protein and energy from their existing diet - the 30 to 35 pounds of feed/forage they’re already eating.
The Science Behind Riomax
When cows consume Riomax, the microbes in their rumen become more active and numerous. This improved microbial efficiency increases the Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) of forage by 3 percentage points, as shown in a University of Minnesota study. This means cows get more nutrition from every mouthful of feed.
Additionally, rumen microbes only live for a few hours to a couple of days. When they die, they become microbial protein, which supplies up to 80% of a cow’s daily protein requirements. This microbial protein is a game-changer, providing a natural, efficient source of protein for your herd.
What to Expect with Riomax
- Improved Manure Quality: After two to four weeks on Riomax, you’ll notice a more pancake-batter consistency in manure, especially in winter. This indicates better digestion and utilization of feed. Kicking open manure reveals finer strands and fewer undigested chunks, showing how thoroughly feed is being broken down.
- Content Cattle: Ranchers often report happier, more content cattle on Riomax. During winter, cows are less likely to crowd the gate for feed. Instead, they’re calm, satisfied, and well-fed, which speaks to the effectiveness of the product.
- Significant Feed Savings: The most impactful benefit of Riomax is feed savings. By enhancing microbial efficiency, Riomax reduces the amount of feed needed to meet daily requirements. Ranchers typically see a 15-30% reduction in feed or forage consumption.
Real-World Results
Take a rancher in Hulett, Wyoming, as an example. Before Riomax, they fed 30 to 35 pounds of hay per cow per day. With Riomax, they’ve reduced this to 26 pounds per day. At $150 per ton of hay, saving 5 pounds per cow per day equates to 38 cents saved daily. With Riomax costing an average of 47 cents per head per day, the net cost of the product is just 9 cents per cow per day for both mineral and protein supplementation. And, that's before dollarizing any other results, like improved breed-up, heavier calves, and less treats.
Why Riomax Works Everywhere
From Alberta to Florida, Riomax delivers consistent results. Its effectiveness doesn’t depend on feed types, cattle breeds, or geography. By focusing on the cow’s rumen microbes, Riomax ensures that every cow maximizes feed efficiency and benefits from microbial protein.
The Bottom Line
Riomax isn’t just another protein tub; it’s a smarter way to supplement protein, save feed, and cut costs. By enhancing microbial activity, improving digestion, and creating microbial protein, Riomax helps ranchers achieve better results with less feed. That’s why Riomax truly is “The Tub That Pays for Itself.”