Effects of Addition of Bio-Algae Concentrates to the Diet of Dairy Cows

Alain Forget (Alain Forget Dairy Farm) and Michael Kiriac, PhD, ND. (Sponsored by BioSuperaliment Inc.)

(Note BioSuperfood is identical to Bio-Algae Concentrates)

The Purpose of the Study

To evaluate Bio-Algae Concentrates (BAC) provided by BioSuperaliment Inc. in regards to a set of productivity markers for 20 dairy cows selected randomly from a herd of 50 Holstein cows.

Bio-Algae Concentrates (BAC) and Their Use for Animals

Starting in the early 70s, the agencies in the former USSR invested more than 20,000 person-years of research and development to produce Bio-Algae Concentrates (BAC) that hold extraordinary nutritional properties. The blend BAC under evaluation, developed by Michael Kiriac [1], is composed of four microalgae specifically selected to yield nutritional completeness, balance and synergies.  Those are the algae Spirulina Pacifica, Spirulina Platensis, Dunaliella Salina and Haematoccocus Pluvialis, which are maintained whole, pure and free of pesticides or herbicides.  The ingredients in BAC are rich with thousands of naturally occurring nutrients such as: vitamins A, B complex, C, E, complex dietary carbohydrates, essential fatty acids (EFA), minerals and trace elements, complete proteins, and more than 4,000 types of active enzymes.  BAC is also an exceptional source of beta and alpha carotene, chlorophylls, phycocyanin and astaxanthin.  Its proteins concentration and quality remains unmatched amongst foods.  BAC contains as much as 60% of complete proteins (including all essential amino acids) of which 95% to 98% are assimilated.  Each alga in BAC is individually pushed to nutritional peaks via innovative hydroponic technologies applied during their growth.  When blended together, the algae in BAC reach very high bioavailability because of the balance and synergy obtained. BAC is developed for the needs of animals.  The results obtained previously in other animal studies [1,2,3,4] show that the BAC microalgae combination nutritionally improves homeostasis in the endocrine system in animals, and the natural balance of all metabolic functions shifts towards overall wellness.  Consecutively, as the animals’ natural digestive metabolism is stimulated in this way, there is a greater assimilation of nutrients from their daily diet.

Protocol for the Study

The study was conducted during 36 months from March 2006 to March 2009 by Alain Forget, the owner and manager of the farm, with 20 cows from a herd of Holstein dairy cows from “Alain Forget Dairy Farm”, 8270 Mille Isles Blvd., Laval, Quebec. BAC were incorporated as instructed by Michael Kiriac into the commercial feeds that were fed daily to the cows according to the “Animal Nutrition Industry Guidelines” [6]. No other changes in the feeds or supplementation were introduced during the period of the study. All the data was collected by independent evaluations performed at regular intervals by Valacta, the provincial dairy production center of expertise regulated by the Quebec Dairy Industry.

Summary of the Results

The data was collected after 6 months, 12 months and 24 months.

The Breed Class Average (BCA) data,  for the Holstein cows, for the 24 months interval is given by:
    
                       Milk Production   Milk            Fat         Proteins
Pre-test          10039 kg             226 kg       219 kg    223 kg
6 months        10565 kg             248 kg       242 kg    236 kg
12 months      10439 kg             237 kg       228 kg    227 kg
24 months      12039 kg             253 kg       239 kg    242 kg
36 months      13039 kg             271 kg       239 kg    242 kg
Difference       +3000 kg            +45 kg       +20 kg    +19 kg
Improvement    29.9%               20.0%        9.3%       8.6%

Comments

a) A trend has been firmly established for the increase in milk production over the 36 months period and in the milk daily average when compared to the pre-test evaluation. A plausible explanation: An overall increase in the vitality of the cows leads to their greater productivity.

b) Usually when there is an increase in cow productivity (amount of milk), one would expect an inversely proportional decrease in the fat and protein content of the milk. In this study, the reverse was found: as the cows’ productivity increased, the contents of fat and proteins in milk increased as well.

A likely explanation: An increased health of the udder and greater calmness of the cows during milking leads to a more complete emptying of the udder, and that these combined factors account for the average increase in the milk’s fat and proteins contents. It is further hypothesized that a greater calmness of the cows can be attributed to a well-known theory that the proper regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, established for the BAC action on animals, leads to a healthy hormonal action including that of oxytocin’s [1].

Productivity as Compared to Provincial Average

The following data collected at the Alain Forget Dairy Farm by Valacta [5] during the study is shown next alongside the provincial averages for Quebec.

                            Provincial     Alain Forget
Longevity            39.4 days      42.4 days
Proteins               278 kg          399 kg
Fat                       329 kg          434 kg
Gestation             426 days      384 days
Milk Production    8622 kg        12186 kg

Comments

a) The tested cows’ average gestation periods (the gestation period is measured from conception to birth of a new calf) are shortening when compared to provincial average.  At this rate, it is estimated that, over time, the cows tested in this evaluation will conceive three additional cows in their productive lifetime.
b) The tested cows’ average production of fat and proteins has increased from the start of the study and has consistently remained above the state averages.  
c) These results have earned us the General Herd Performance award from Valacta [5].

Discussion

In general, there are advantages in using animals when testing nutritional and dietary changes in regards to factors of health or productivity.  With animals, it is easier to ensure that all participants are eating an exact diet and are following the same lifestyle.  In addition, there are no placebo effects to contend with. The results obtained provide a strong evidence that BAC supports an increase in cellular nutrition in cows and leads to a better milk quality, as well as to an increase in productivity alongside with a decreased nervousness of the cows during lactation (less stimulation of the teat and greater emptying of the utter).  Moreover, the observed general increase of the cows’ overall health provides evidence that BAC brings about a positive impact on the cows’ central nervous system and an improved endocrine balance (homeostasis).  The final observation is that the obtained data for the cows supports the results obtained previously in other animal studies [1,2,3,4] that adding BAC to the diet brings about a better health of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the regulator of all metabolisms.

References

1.    Awakening the Genius Within, Roland Thomas, 2003-2009 Quantum Leap Wellness publishing
2.    Kiriac M., "Invention of Technology for development of bio-algae concentrates" - Patent 1080/1-92 0880-3, Moscow, URSS, 1989
3.    Kiriac M, “Algae production within industrial model” - Republican conference on preparation of bio-algae concentrates for the food industry and on valuating the scientific research – Kishinev 1987 – R.S.S. Moldova
4.    Kiriac M., Rudic A., Scutaru I., “Benefits of algae for food industry” – Moldova Nutrition Revue – 1988
5.    http://www.valacta.com - Canadian Quality Milk Program (CQM)
6.    The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Dairy Cattle - http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/dairy-cattle/code#Section2