Hi Everyone,

As we wrap up Series 4 of our 'How to do it' series, I am thrilled to share another instalment of our "Gold from the Vault" featuring the late, great Jerry Brunetti. Jerry was a dear friend and a true pioneer who understood the "soil to soul" connection better than almost anyone I’ve known.

In this session, Jerry dives deep into the internal ecosystem of the animal to show us how to detoxify the rumen and build lasting vitality. He challenges the conventional "band-aid" approach to nutrition, where we attempt to buffer a failing rumen with baking soda while ignoring the effective fibre and soil minerals that create natural stability. It is a profound look at why our modern "high-production" systems are leading to a metabolic load that our animals simply cannot sustain.

The Cost of "Funny Protein" and Ammonia Toxicity

Jerry begins by discussing the "ammonia issue." When we feed animals poor-quality forage loaded with non-protein nitrogen (NPN), it creates a toxic surge of ammonia in the blood. This isn't just a production problem; it’s an immune crisis. This high metabolic load leads to septicaemic conditions and a compromised immune system, leaving the door wide open for pathogens to take hold.

The conventional response is often to "crank up the thermostat" by adding more starch and cereal. However, Jerry explains that this fermentation of starch in the rumen produces D-lactic acid, which is essentially a metabolic poison. In contrast, a healthy rumen produces acetic acid (vinegar), which is ten times less acidic and far more beneficial for the animal's longevity.

The Villi, the Liver, and the Soil Connection

One of the most striking parts of this presentation is Jerry’s look at the lower gut. He shows us the villi—those finger-like projections in the small intestine that are responsible for nutrient absorption and house the Peyer’s patches, a critical component of the immune system. When the rumen is out of balance, the gut suffers from dysbiosis, leading to scarred villi and reduced feed efficiency.

Ultimately, this all comes back to the soil. Jerry highlights that we cannot make energy in forages without adequate calcium, sulphur, and trace minerals like boron. Without these, the plant produces lignin (which is unfermentable) instead of sugars and pectins. When we fix the soil, we fix the forage, and we finally give the animal the metabolic tools it needs to live a long, productive life.

You’ll also discover:

• The 14% Statistic: Why every 0.1 drop in pH below 6.5 kills off cellulolytic bacteria at a staggering rate.
• Mastering the Silage Stack: Why adding molasses or lactose is more critical than the inoculant itself.
• The Saliva Solution: Why a cow needs 11 hours of chewing time to produce the 40 gallons of saliva required to naturally buffer her system.
• Liver Regeneration: Why the liver is the most forgiving organ in the body, but also the one that finally "implodes" when the metabolic burden becomes too great.

Warm regards,

Graeme Sait
CEO
Nutri-Tech Solutions

Nutri-Life BAM™

Multipurpose blend of anaerobic species for soil, compost and plant health.

This breakthrough probiotic blend contains lactic acid bacteria and purple non-sulphur bacteria, plus beneficial yeasts and microbial exudates.

Tri-Kelp™

Soluble Organic Seaweed Powder

Different kelp species have unique effects upon plant health and crop potential depending upon their nutrient & hormonal profile. Tri-Kelp™ from NTS offers a unique formulation of the three most popular growth-promoting seaweed species. Laminaria, Sargassum and Ascophyllum nodosum are the three components of a new 100% soluble seaweed powder, which promises to redefine the concept of cost-effective kelp.

Certificate in Nutrition Farming

Our next iconic, five-day Certificate in Nutrition Farming® course is scheduled for Monday, 23rd  - 27th March 2026.

Our last course was attended by growers and consultants from six countries. It was a wonderful learning opportunity where attendees enjoyed a wealth of education and inspiration from both our presenters and their fellow attendees. We only accept 40 bookings for these courses, so please register if you would like to attend.