Get Ahead with Lallemand CleanFeed
Get Ahead with Lallemand CleanFeed
Feed inventory planning is no longer just about having enough forage on hand. Today’s dairy operations are under constant pressure to manage tighter margins, variable forage quality and increasing expectations around efficiency and sustainability. Getting ahead of feed plans means thinking beyond the ration on paper and focusing on how feed is produced, protected and utilized from harvest to the rumen of the cow.
That is the foundation of the CleanFeed Approach by Lallemand Animal Nutrition. Rather than relying on a single product or practice, CleanFeed is a holistic strategy that connects silage management, feed hygiene and targeted microbial solutions to help dairy producers protect feed quality and support herd performance at every stage of crop and animal production.
Start with clean, well-managed silage
For most dairies, silage is the backbone of the feeding program and one of the largest investments made each year. When silage quality slips, the consequences show up quickly in intake, milk production and feed efficiency.
Ensiling is a biological process driven by fermentation. Research-proven forage inoculants help guide that process by promoting beneficial lactic acid bacteria that drive a rapid pH drop, preserve nutrients and improve aerobic stability at feedout1. Properly fermented silage stays cooler, smells better and maintains palatability, which helps cattle stay on feed and perform consistently throughout the year.
Management matters just as much as biology. Avoiding soil contamination during harvest, packing tightly, covering piles properly and managing silage removal at the face, all help protect silage quality. Removing only enough silage that is needed each day, limiting drop piles and removing spoiled material reduces exposure to oxygen and limits the growth of molds and yeasts that lead to spoilage and compromise feed value.
The difference between well-managed and poorly managed silage is significant. A good inoculant will support strong fermentation, but the quality of silage ultimately depends on how well it is managed. Getting ahead of feed plans starts with doing everything possible to preserve the feed you worked hard to grow.
Protect feed hygiene from pile to feed bunk
Clean feed does not stop at the silage pile. Maintaining feed hygiene all the way to feedout is critical to feed quality and supporting the gut.
Simple practices make a measurable difference. Using equipment dedicated to feed handling, keeping commodity bays clean between loads, managing water runoff and preventing pest access all reduce the risk of contamination. Proper distribution along the feed bunk and regular cleanup of refusals help maintain consistency from load to load.
These details are easy to overlook, but small lapses can introduce unwanted microbes or mycotoxins that may affect overall feed quality. A proactive approach to hygiene helps ensure that the feed planned was delivered.
Support gut health to maximize feed value
Even with excellent silage management, cattle can still face stressors that can challenge digestion and efficiency. This is where targeted microbial solutions play an important role within the CleanFeed Approach.
Rumen specific yeast probiotics are designed to support favorable rumen conditions, stabilize pH and support fiber digestion2. By enhancing rumen efficiency, these solutions maintain digestion so more energy in the ration becomes available to the animal. Supporting the lower gut is equally important, as a large portion of the immune system resides in the gastrointestinal tract and requires significant energy to function.
When feed quality is compromised, valuable nutrients are diverted away from milk and component production and body condition- these affect the feeding program. Supporting the entire digestive system helps keep energy focused where it delivers the greatest return.
Pulling it all together
Feed planning is not a single decision made at harvest or ration formulation. It is an ongoing process that benefits from a connected strategy. Lallemand’s CleanFeed Approach brings together silage quality, feed hygiene and digestive support to help dairy producers stay ahead of challenges rather than reacting to them.
By protecting every ton of feed from the field to the bunk and supporting cows from rumen through lower gut. Means producers can support efficiency, reduce waste and set their operation up for more consistent performance year after year.
References:
- Muck, R.E., Nadeau, E.M.G., McAllister, T.A., Contreras-Govea, F.E., Santos, M.C., Kung, L. Jr. 2018. Silage review: Recent advances and future uses of silage additives. Journal of Dairy Science. 101:3980–4000.
- Ondarza, M.B., Sniffen, C.J., Dussert, L., Chevaux, E., Sullivan, J., Walker, N. 2010.
May 2026
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