DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-093-1-0116
CITRIC AND FORMIC ACID FOR STABILIZATION OF TOTAL MIXED RATIONS
- Loučka, R.1, Jambor, V.2, Synková, H.2, Homolka, F.1, Jančík, F.1, Kubelková, P.1
- 1 Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic
- 2 NutriVet Ltd., Vídeňská 1023, 691 23 Pohořelice, Czech Republic
Total mixed rations (TMR) are exposed to aerobic deterioration after mixing, critically accelerated by elevated temperatures. This study evaluates the efficacy of CitroFor stabilizer (citric and formic acid, 95:5 diluted 1:4 with water) across three TMR types (dry cows, lactating cows, post-partum cows) at two temperatures (20 and 30 degrees C) using continuous temperature monitoring (84 h, n = 3). The dry cow TMR showed the highest benefit: at 30 degrees C, CitroFor at 4 l/t fresh matter (FM) reduced the temperature increase from +12.5 to +7.7 degrees C (38%), with a statistically significant ANOVA result (F = 6.39; p = 0.033) and complete elimination of mould and yeast. For lactating cow TMR, even 4 l/t was insufficient to prevent mould and yeast growth. The 2 l/t dose was counterproductive for post-partum TMR (critical time shortened by 10%). Results highlight a fundamental interaction between TMR type, stabilizer dose and temperature regime with practical implications for seasonal feeding management.
Keywords: aerobic spoilage; dairy cattle; yeast inhibition; temperature monitoring; dose-response interaction
pages: 116-117, Published: 2026, online: 2026
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