Microbiology nutrition

A nutrition program powered by Smartbacteria™

Principle 1 | Smartbacteria™, Smart Biome
Every animal has its own unique rumen biome. The Smartbacteria™ strains in P-One™ work to help align that biome across the herd, so more cows respond consistently to the same ration
Principle 2 | Forage Quality
Highly fermentable fiber from early maturity forage works to deliver energy comparable to carbohydrates like corn, and Smartbacteria™ works to help support the rumen pH balance needed to use it safely
Principle 3 | Less Is More
A stabilized gut works to help support the same or greater production on lower dry matter intake, which may help reduce feed cost, manure volume, and wasted energy
Principle 4 | No Straw in the Ration
Straw fills the rumen with material the cow cannot ferment. Microbiology Nutrition removes the dependency on straw as a scratch factor entirely, in favor of fermentable feed and a stable microbial environment.
Principle 5 | All Corn Silage Ration
With the right protein, minerals, and Smartbacteria™ in place, an all corn silage ration works to help simplify the operation while supporting herd consistency.
Principle 6 | Feed to an Empty Bunk
A ration is formulated for a 24-hour period. Feeding to an empty bunk is a discipline, not a shortage, and it works alongside a stable rumen to support a consistent milk response.
Principle 7 | Water is Energy
Wetter forage at harvest works to help preserve fermentable fiber and support more consistent digestibility through the year
Principle 8 | Power to the Producer
Priority IAC's role is education, not dependency. Producers choose their own commodity mix. Priority IAC provides the Smartbacteria™ and the mineral program. The ration, and the results, belong to the farm.

Beyond the Principles: How Microbiology Nutrition Works in Practice

The principles provide the foundation. Understanding the science behind them helps producers apply them with confidence. 

The Role of pH

pH is the key to all life. The soil, the body, the rumen — each requires a stable, optimal pH to function. In the rumen, pH stability determines whether microorganisms can grow, produce volatile fatty acids, and generate microbial protein. When pH swings, performance swings with it. P-One™ works to help support rumen pH stability so the organisms can do their work consistently, day after day.

Microbial Protein: The Free Protein Source

Smartbacteria™ eat something, make something, and then they die. When they die, they become microbial protein — broken down and used by the cow as amino acids. This is not a byproduct. It is a designed outcome. A well-managed rumen biome produces microbial protein that is perfectly amino acid balanced, at no additional cost to the producer.

Ocean Minerals & Microbial Growth

All minerals work to support microbial growth, but ocean minerals have the most direct impact. Ocean Minerals™ are formulated in a highly available form to work to support microbial growth, enhance immune function, and benefit reproduction. The right minerals are not optional — they are foundational to the microbial environment the principles depend on.

Transition & Fresh Cow Health

An energy-dense ration helps fresh cows meet their nutritional needs more quickly, which works to help reduce the risk of ketosis when demand for energy is at its highest. Straw and poor hay in dry cow rations hold up fermentation post-calving and compound that risk. Removing them is not optional — it is a prerequisite for a strong transition.

Feed Efficiency: The Measure of it All

Feed efficiency is the most milk for every pound of dry matter intake. For years, the industry pushed toward a 1.5-pound milk-to-dry-matter ratio but could not get there consistently without cow health consequences. Microbiology Nutrition removes that barrier. With the rumen stabilized and the right organisms in place, energy is used correctly, intakes come down, and output holds or improves. Less feed. Less waste. More production. That is what a healthy, efficient rumen looks like.

Built for Dairy. Adaptable Across Species.

Our Microbiology Nutrition program was built on a dairy, for dairy, and dairy herds remain the primary focus of our Microbiology Nutrition Programs. The same underlying biology, a digestive tract that depends on stable, well-managed microbial population, extends to other species as well. 

Horses

The horse’s hindgut ferments fiber in much the same way a rumen does. E-One™ works to help support hindgut fermentation and microbial balance, particularly during pasture transitions and other periods of digestive stress

Beef cattle depend on the same rumen health dairy cows do, just with a different goal: pounds gained instead of milk produced. Ocean Minerals™ delivers highly bioavailable minerals that work to help support microbial growth in the rumen, which may help increase available vitamins and microbial protein from the same ration, while also working to help support reproduction, so beef operations get more consistent gain and better breeding results from every pound of feed. Ocean Minerals can be used in a free range operation. 

As ruminants, sheep and goats work through many of the same fermentation dynamics as dairy cattle, and a Microbiology Nutrition approach works to help support digestive stability and feed efficiency in these operations as well

Priority IAC can help support and suggest improvements that reflect your whole operation, with dairy nutrition as the primary focus.

How our Microbiology Nutrition Program Works.

Step 1 | The Conversation

A no-obligation conversation about your herd challenges, your forages, and your operation goals. 

Priority IAC reviews your current ration, forage program, and herd performance data to identify where the principles apply most directly to your operation.

A Microbiology Nutrition Program is built around your operation, incorporating Smartbacteria™ through P-One™, allowing you to use the highest fermentable forages available. We recommend mineral support through Ocean Minerals™ to work to help support rumen stability and feed efficiency, acting as a Smartbacteria™ catalyzer. 

Priority IAC stays involved as your forage program, herd, and goals evolve. This is a long-term partnership, not a single transaction. Offering support anytime you need it. 

If your operation includes cattle alongside horses, sheep, or goats, Priority IAC can help build a program that reflects your whole operation.

Ready to Build a Program for Your Operation?

Microbiology Nutrition was not developed in a laboratory. It was built through more than a decade on a working Wisconsin dairy, with real animals, under real conditions, with real results as the only measure that mattered.

If your operation is ready for a different approach, one built around your cows, your forages, and your goals, Priority IAC is ready to help.

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