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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (9): 211-235.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2025369

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Research progress on fermented total mixed ration and its application to ruminant feeding

Kai-yue PANG1,2,3(), Yan-long FENG1, He-yun LIU1, Shao-feng SU4, Jia-hua DU1, Jia-hai WU1,2,3(), Bing ZENG1,5()   

  1. 1.College of Animal Science and Technology,Southwest University,Chongqing 402460,China
    2.Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Guiyang 550006,China
    3.Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology,Guiyang 550006,China
    4.Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences,Hohhot 028000,China
    5.Chongqing University Herbivore Engineering Research Center,Chongqing 400715,China
  • Received:2025-09-15 Revised:2025-11-03 Online:2026-09-20 Published:2026-07-27
  • Contact: Jia-hai WU,Bing ZENG

Abstract:

With the rapid development of China’s livestock industry, conventional feed resources can no longer meet the industry demand for animal feeds. Faced with the challenges of feed shortages and low self-sufficiency rates for high-quality forage, the full development and utilization of forage resources and novel feed materials have become urgent priorities. Therefore, the development of novel feed formulations has become a significant research focus. Fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) is a diet suitable for ruminants. It is produced by fermenting a total mixed ration (TMR) based on the animal’s nutritional requirements and blending roughage with concentrate feed under anaerobic conditions. Compared with traditional TMR, FTMR offers extended shelf life, higher nutritional value, and easier transportation. It is also more palatable and enhances animal production performance. This review describes the current state of FTMR technology and factors influencing fermentation quality. It then focuses on the mechanisms by which dry matter, temperature, storage duration, dietary ingredients, and additives affect FTMR fermentation quality. Finally, it explores the applications of FTMR in ruminants and investigates its impact on ruminant in vitro digestibility, production performance, rumen fermentation, and meat quality. This review aims to provide scientific guidance for the practical application of FTMR in animal husbandry.

Key words: fermented total mixed ration, fermentation quality, ruminants, in vitro digestibility, production performance, rumen fermentation, meat quality