ADM launches Digest Carb feed solution for dairy cows at SPACE 2025

FRANCE – ADM has unveiled Digest Carb, its latest feed solution for dairy cows, at SPACE 2025 in western France, introducing European farmers to a product designed to enhance milk production, improve feed efficiency and reduce costs.

The launch took place at the international livestock trade show, held from 16–18 September, with plans to roll out the solution in other regions worldwide.

Digest Carb combines ingredients that optimise the rumen’s use of starch, fibre and sugars, supporting fermentation, fibre degradability and milk performance. Feed remains the single largest cost for dairy farmers, accounting for 60–70% of production expenses, making efficiency gains critical.

“With feed accounting for up to 60–70% of total production expenses, maximizing feed efficiency is essential for dairy farmers,” said Gaelle Benzoni, Vice President, Animal Nutrition R&D, ADM. 

“Enhancing rumen fermentation improves nutrient release, enabling cows to extract more energy from the same amount of feed, and boosts milk production. Digest Carb is a result of five years of rigorous research and development, and we’re proud to share it with European dairy operations focused on performance, robustness and environmental impact.”

On-farm research trials validated the solution, showing promising results. In a 12-week trial in France, Holstein cows fed Digest Carb produced an average of 2.7 kilograms more milk per day compared to the control group.

Across all parities, milk protein output increased by 4.5%, underscoring the product’s impact on lactation performance.

Science-backed innovation

A distinctive feature of Digest Carb is its feed value matrix, designed to support precise feed formulation. Compatible with commercial software, the matrix enables nutritionists and feed millers to optimise rations by replacing high-energy grains with more fibrous materials. 

This not only helps reduce feeding costs but also promotes sustainability by improving nutrient utilisation and reducing waste.

Sara Tondini, Ph.D., ADM’s lead research scientist on the project, explained the scientific foundation behind the innovation: “We developed Digest Carb to support the native rumen microbiome, enabling more effective breakdown of fibrous feedstuffs to increase the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), the primary energy source for dairy cows. 

Unlike other fibre-degrading technologies, such as enzymes or live yeasts that struggle to persist in the rumen and yield variable results, Digest Carb supports and amplifies the cow’s natural microbial processes. This cooperative mechanism is more consistently and reliably effective.”

ADM emphasised that Digest Carb is the product of its structured R&D process, which includes preclinical assessments using advanced in vitro models, in vivo trials across different diets and conditions, and validation under real-world farm environments. 

This end-to-end approach ensures consistency and practical performance benefits for producers.

Long-term sustainability focus

Beyond immediate gains in milk yield and efficiency, ADM positions Digest Carb as part of its broader commitment to sustainable dairy production. By reducing reliance on high-energy ingredients and promoting better nutrient use, the solution supports both economic and environmental sustainability.

“Our solution for dairy producers helps cows reach their full potential, which not only addresses current challenges but also makes a difference for an operation’s long-term economic sustainability,” Benzoni added. 

“ADM’s Next Generation Services and Solutions create the foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership. By providing producers with additional tools, we can engage with them on the long-term sustainability of their operations for generations to come.”

With Digest Carb, ADM aims to cement its role as a partner to farmers navigating the twin pressures of productivity and sustainability in the global dairy sector.

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