Significantly increases feed intake and increases glucose, water and sodium absorption by stimulating intestinal development

Calves have 25000 taste buds compared to our 9000 and research has shown calves have a strong preference for sweet solutions. Using calf meal with a sweet taste significantly increases feed intake.

We have been using a sweetener in our calf meal since our visit to the animal feed flavouring factory in France 2012. The product we use (which for commercial reasons we call "Sweet Secret") is a high intensity sweetener for animal feed.

"Sweet Secret" also has a “Gut effect” in that it increases glucose, water and sodium absorption and acts on the epithelial structure by stimulating intestinal development.

Or to put it more technically, these gut effects increase the number of glucose transporters on gut epithelial cells, which absorb nutrients from the intestine. Higher glucose absorption provides better nutrition of the villi and gut mucosa, and thereby increases the intestinal surface area and villi height, improving the intestine’s integrity and absorption capability.

"Sweet Secret" offers a practical means for enhancing glucose utilisation and also increases feed attractiveness and feed intake, improving feed efficiency and growth rates.