Questions and Answers:
Shur-Gain Pro-DMS Technology for Dairy Cows
1) What is Shur-Gain Pro-DMS Technology?
Pro-DMS Technology provides a source of an innovative emulsifying agent that works on
enhancing rumen function through an emulsifying effect on rumen content.
2) How does Shur-Gain Pro-DMS Technology work?
Pro-DMS Technology also provides an “emulsifying effect” on the rumen environment.
Pro-DMS Technology helps the rumen bacteria attach to the forage fibre more rapidly due
to a solubilizing or swelling of the fibrous components. Pro-DMS Technology reduces the
resistance of the waxy coating on the forage material.
Waxy cuticle layer
3) What does this mean to the dairy cow?
Adding Pro-DMS Technology to the diet will lead to more rapid and complete fibre
digestion. The “emulsifying effect” will reduce the time for the bacteria to adhere to the forage
fibre. This will allow more opportunity for ruminal fibre digestion.
4) What research data supports the use of Shur-Gain Pro-DMS Technology?
Nutreco Agresearch has conducted exhaustive in-vitro and in-vivo research on Pro-DMS
Technology. The results were very encouraging:
Agresearch trials (3 separate trials)
Dairy Trial 100: 0.78 kgs improvement in component corrected milk in
early lactation cows
Dairy Trial 75: 1.10 kgs improvement in component corrected milk plus a
trend to a increase in body weight gain
Dairy Trial 82: 2.50 kgs improvement of component corrected milk plus a
trend increase in body weight gain
Field Trials (12 commercial dairy herds using an off-on-off trial)
Average increase 1.5 kgs in component corrected milk (p=.05)
In-vitro Trials (examined Dry Matter Digestibility ~ DMD)
Control Ration: DMD 75.4%, Pro-DMS Technology Ration: DMD 76.7%
5) How much Shur-Gain Pro-DMS Technology do I add to the ration?
Pro-DMS Technology is designed to be added at 1.0 gram/kg of DMI or approximately
22-24 grams/cow/day.
6) When should you recommend feeding Shur-Gain Pro-DMS Technology?
Pro-DMS Technology will lead to improved rumen efficiency through improved fibre
digestion and rumen dynamics. It will have the greatest impact in the following scenarios:
Forages with ADF >34%. Note: the on-farm trials demonstrated a positive
response in corn silage diets. The assumption is that the plant ADF minus the kernel
ADF would be > 34%.
Dry forages > 50% DM.
Low digestible or mature forages (<72% PD).