ADM Unveils New Feed Solution That Unlocks Nutrients for Optimized Dairy Performance

Digest Carb Amplifies Natural Microbial Processes to Maximize Milk Yield and Feed Efficiency

ROLLE, Switzerland-ADM (NYSE: ADM), a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, aspires to feed the world sustainably by unlocking the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. In animal nutrition, ADM focuses on the economic sustainability of farmers, providing nutritional solutions to minimize losses and help animals achieve their full potential. To assist dairy farmers in supporting rumen fermentation, fiber degradability ¹ and milk performance ² while managing feed costs, ADM has developed a synergistic combination of ingredients named Digest Carb. It was introduced for European markets at SPACE 2025, a key international trade show for livestock farming professionals held in western France, and Digest Carb will soon be launched in other regional markets worldwide.

"With feed accounting for up to 60-70% of total production expenses, maximizing feed efficiency is essential for dairy farmers," explained 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."

Digest Carb is a combination of ingredients that maximize the rumen's use of different energy sources, including starch, fiber and sugars. Validated through on-farm research trials, this solution has demonstrated improvement on milk yields and the energy formulation of feed. Specifically, during a 12-week trial conducted in France, Holstein cows supplemented with Digest Carb produced an average of 2.7 kg more milk per day compared to the control group ². Across all parities, milk protein (kg/d) increased by 4.5%, highlighting the product's positive impact on lactation performance ².

A key innovation of Digest Carb is its feed value matrix, developed to support precise feed formulation. Compatible with commercial formulation software, the matrix allows nutritionists and feed millers to optimize rations by substituting high-energy ingredients like grains with more fibrous materials. This flexibility supports more economical feeding strategies without compromising the cow's energy supply. It also contributes to environmental sustainability by improving nutrient utilization, which helps to reduce waste.

Sara Tondini, Ph.D., ADM's lead research scientist on the project, said, "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 fiber-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 R&D follows a meticulous, science-driven process for identifying and validating new animal nutrition solutions. Preclinical assessment evaluates potential effects using a broad range of advanced in vitro models prior to in vivo research trials, including controlled studies conducted under varying diets and management practices, ensuring confidence in the efficacy and consistency of ADM solutions. These studies assess both zootechnical performance and rigorous health indicators and parameters. The final stage includes comprehensive validation under real-world production conditions-on farms and with customers under different conditions-to ensure performance translates into practice. This robust end-to-end process ensures ADM innovations drive resilience, robustness and enhanced animal performance and well-being, from early development through implementation.

"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," added Benzoni. "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. This approach ensures that we retain our farmer customers for life, cultivating a lasting relationship that benefits both parties."

Learn more about ADM's broad portfolio of science-backed animal nutrition services and solutions at adm.com.

¹Based on research by ADM and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
²Tondini SM, De Souza JM, Khelil Arfa H, McCann J. Effect of a blend of organic acids and a surfactant on in vitro rumen fermentation parameters and in vivo lactation performance in dairy cows. In: Proceedings of the ADSA 2025 Annual Meeting; June 22-25, 2025; Louisville, KY

About ADMADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We're an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. We're a premier human and animal nutrition provider, offering one of the industry's broadest portfolios of ingredients and solutions from nature. We're a trailblazer in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of products for consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. We're a cutting-edge innovator, guiding the way to a future of new bio-based consumer and industrial solutions. And we're leading in business-driven sustainability efforts that support a strong agricultural sector, resilient supply chains, and a vast and growing bioeconomy. Around the globe, our expertise and innovation are meeting critical needs from harvest to home. Learn more at https://www.adm.com.

ADM Media RelationsJackie [email protected]-634-8484