Underwater Discovery Leads to Greater Feed Efficiency

A team of researchers traveled into the depths of the sea to discover a remarkable enzyme that increases the efficiency of ethanol production and feed utilization. Sourced from bacteria that thrive in thermal vents on the ocean floor, Enogen^® technology is a genetically modified biotech output trait that converts starch to sugar more efficiently by way of an alpha amylase enzyme produced within the kernel of a corn hybrid.

In addition to determining its usefulness in the ethanol sector in 2011, Syngenta experts evaluated the potential of Enogen corn as animal feed and discovered that the heat-tolerant enzyme found in Enogen corn also makes it ideal for feeding cattle.

Prior to Enogen Feed corn hybrids, there were only a few things that could increase feed efficiency by a percentage point or two. A 5% increase makes Enogen Feed corn hybrids one of the great industry advancements of the last 30 years.

According to research at leading universities, Enogen Feed enables a 5% increase in feed efficiency, which helps dairy and beef producers lower feed costs and improve profit potential for their operations.^*

“Prior to Enogen Feed corn hybrids, there were only a few things that could increase feed efficiency by a percentage point or two,” says Duane Martin, Ph.D., head of Enogen marketing and stewardship at Syngenta. “A 5% increase makes Enogen Feed corn hybrids one of the great industry advancements of the last 30 years.”

^*University Research, 2019; University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Studies, 2013-2017; Kansas State University Research Study, 2017.