Benefits, Dosage & How to Feed
(Source: www.stockmanhealth.au)

Vinegar being mixed in TMR mixer


How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Work?

Mammals' blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal PH level between 7.30 and 7.40. Despite being an acidic solution, apple cider vinegar has an alkalizing effect essential to good health, which is why one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water is recommended as a daily health tonic for humans. 

This means that animals have significantly less chance of getting sick while in a slightly alkalized state, as many illnesses will not survive in this environment. However, in an acidic environment, the body is unable to maintain healthy enzymes and protect itself from bacteria, molds or viruses. Your animals then become vulnerable to illness.


Benefits
  • It is unpasteurized, therefore retaining the ‘mother of vinegar,’ the source of its vitamins and minerals.
  • It is high in acetic and malic natural acids.
  • It is a rich source of potassium and is quickly assimilated. Potassium is necessary to build strength and fight bacteria by flushing out toxins.
  • It has powerful healing, cleansing, natural antibiotic and antiseptic qualities.
  • It provides both internal and external prevention and management of itch, bot flies, fleas, ticks, skin conditions, arthritis, mastitis, cystitis and other ailments.
  • It is an excellent cleaning product.

Common Feeding/Application Methods

The method of feeding apple cider vinegar depends on the type of livestock, the quantity of ACV to be administered, and your current infrastructure or management system. Regardless of how you deliver ACV to livestock, it is important to feed in a way that ensures animals get the desired dosage.

Our method, and probably the most common, is to simply add ACV to the feed ration daily. You don't need to invest in a new system or equipment for ACV to work well. 

Grind Feed
One option is to simply add ACV to the grind mixture.

TMR Wagon
We use a TMR wagon and add ACV when feeding. Our system is large and we pump the vinegar directly into the TMR. Alternatively, you can use a bucket to add ACV over a loader bucket of grain, soyhulls or silage, then put it in the TMR wagon.

Water Tank
Another easy option is to add ACV to the water tanks you are currently using. The size of your water tank determine how often you will need to add ACV. Larger tanks will only require adding it once a day. Smaller tanks will require adding ACV multiple times per day. The key is determining how fast the water turns over and how often you'll need to administer the ACV to achieve the desired dosage.

Free Choice
One option for this method is adding ACV to a 200-gallon lick tank then diluting it with water or molasses to maintain the desired dosage. We recommend putting a semi tire around the lick tank so the livestock won't tip it over.

Injection System Into Water Line
The third option that we know of is to inject ACV into your water line, if you have one. An added benefit of this method is the ACV will help keep your water line clean. Make sure you check with local regulations to ensure it is possible to do this. Some customers have informed us that they weren't allowed to inject ACV into their water lines.



Why ACV is Recommended For Virtually All Livestock
  1. Natural Energy: ACV is primarily acetic acid, a natural volatile fatty acid found throughout the body and utilized by the animal as a direct form of pure energy and for butterfat and body fat production. It is absorbed directly, through the wall of the rumen. 

  2. Buffers (alkalizes) Rumen and Overall Blood pH: May prevent or reverse acidosis and ketosis.

  3. Digestive Tonic : Prevent scours, bloat, gas, reflux,  indigestion, and poor digestion.

  4. Anthelmintic: Prevents or removes virtually all forms of internal and external parasites.

  5. Contains Probiotics (beneficial microbes): Also contains minerals, vitamins, and nutriceuticals.

  6. Boosts Immunity: Improves disease resistance (bacteria, viral, yeast, fungal, or toxin). 

  7. Cleanser and Detoxifier: Contains high levels malic acid which helps cleanse and heal the liver for better digestion, and detoxification of toxins and waste. 

  8. Meat Enhancer: May improve texture and flavor of meat; Does not create off-flavors in milk, meat or eggs. 

  9. Safe Handling: Completely safe for livestock (after 2-3 days of age), easy to administer for humans, and very tasty to animals.

  10. Cost-Effective: Less Disease + More Efficient Digestion + Direct Nutritive Value