A native of Winston Salem, North Carolina, Dr. Sachtleben received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont and Master of Science and Doctorate degrees from Michigan State University. He joined Kent Feeds as ruminant nutritionist in 2003.
Dr. Sachtleben’s Comments on BoVantageTM
BoVantage
TM technology was developed by assimilating many years of incoming cattle research through the scientific literature and trials at Kent’s Product Development Center (PDC) as well as field studies in numerous states. No single ingredient or thought process was instrumental in its development but numerous theories were evaluated keeping the health and performance of high risk cattle at the forefront. Success of the technology was measured by reductions in calf sickness and death while stimulating their performance.
Personally I have been involved in evaluating such programs for high risk cattle for over 25 years with limited success until now. The programs just did not work consistently. That all changed 2-3 years ago as Kent scientists started work on the theories behind the BoVantage technology in all species.
The initial study at the PDC paved the way for future work when stressed
sale barn calves consuming diets with BoVantage feed fortifier consumed about 20% more dry matter while gaining about 18% faster. Morbidity and mortality were reduced substantially. Subsequent trials at beef facilities (feedlots and backgrounders) in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Kentucky have supported the data generated at the PDC. These data show the cattle consuming diets with the BoVantage technology gained faster and ate more feed while having fewer pulls for illness and up to a
75% reduction in death losses. The bottom line is more profit for the producer.
The Texas Ranch to Rail project which evaluated the effect of calf health on subsequent feedlot performance clearly showed that healthy calves perform better all the way to market when compared to those which were treated for sickness the first four weeks in the feedlot. Data from cattle at the PDC support this in that cattle fed diets formulated with the BoVantage technology from day 1 to market gained faster due to enhanced dry matter consumption. This illustrates another way to enhance profitability.
There are no second chances! Getting your cattle off to the best start possible today is done through the use of Kent’s BoVantage technology; the best advancement in cattle health and performance in 25 years.