Interview with smaXtec Feeding and pH Specialist

Louisa Koch is a feeding and pH specialist at smaXtec. She supports numerous farmers in improving their feeding management and unlocking hidden potential on their farms. In this interview, she shares how consulting works at smaXtec, the role pH measurement in the process, and the benefits it brings to our customers.

In which areas do you advise smaXtec customers?

As a feeding and pH specialist, I focus on rumen health and nutrition, helping farmers and nutritionists find opportunities in their management and feeding programs. I work alongside nutritionists to understand some of the underlying reasons behind suboptimal performance that may be related to rumen health and how we can detect those issues using our data.

How does such a consultation work?

I collaborate with nutritionists and farm owners to analyze and understand smaXtec’s continuous rumen pH data. Together we identify trends in the data (e.g., pH drops post-feeding) and discuss the possible dietary interventions or changes in feed management that could help improve certain areas, so we can prevent further metabolic disorders or enhance production. Butterfat in the US is a major driver in farm profitability, and many farm owners as well as nutrition consultants are constantly trying to find ways to capitalize on that. Looking into rumen data helps us to identify possible reasons behind why butterfat may not be at desired levels.

What advantages do customers gain from working with our cattle specialists?

Farmers gain proactive, data-driven insights to:

• Reduce SARA risks and associated losses.
• Collaborate on possible feed strategies for better productivity.
• Work with a team that brings together technology and nutrition.

What has been your greatest success with customers in recent months?

On one particular farm the nutritionist and owner were struggling with butterfat. We were able to identify suboptimal pH patterns that were a result of inconsistent feed delivery and availability, as well as large swings in the starch levels of the TMR. This resulted in poor performance in some animals, and it motivated the producer to take steps to improve his feed management. Another farm trialed a feed additive whilst using our pH bolus. They were able to find positive pH responses to the additive that would not have otherwise been measurable.