Microbial Catalyst®
Ralco has led microbial innovation in agriculture since 1971. Our patented Microbial Catalyst technology activates native microbes in the rumen and the soil, releasing more nutrients and improving how feed and fertilizer are used.
A Natural Solution to Unlock More Nutrients from Soil and Feed
What is Microbial Catalyst and How Does it Work?
Microbial Catalyst is a patented bioactive technology developed by Ralco to improve the performance of both livestock and crops. Originally created to help ruminants digest forages more efficiently, it has since become a powerful solution for soil and crop health and productivity.
In livestock, Microbial Catalyst works by increasing the activity of native microbes and enzymes in the rumen, unlocking more energy from fiber (feeds and forages). In crops, it stimulates soil microbial activity and accelerates enzymatic reactions that release tied-up nutrients in fertilizer and soil.
Whether applied to animals or plants, Microbial Catalyst helps producers make better use of what they already have, soil and feed, by improving efficiency, reducing waste and advancing results.
Why Traditional Ruminant Digestion and Soil Activity Fall Short
Both ruminant digestion and soil fertility rely heavily on microbial and enzymatic activity. However, these systems often underperform due to stress, poor-quality inputs or environmental conditions.
In livestock, low-quality forages contain energy-rich compounds like cellulose and hemicellulose, but these are difficult to access without sufficient microbial and enzymatic support. Traditional feed additives often fall short in improving fiber digestibility, leaving valuable energy locked away and wasted.
In the soil, nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be bound in organic matter or unavailable to plants due to imbalanced microbial populations. Without the right enzymatic triggers, nutrient cycling slows, plant growth stalls and yield potential is lost. Microbial Catalyst solves this by accelerating the natural biological processes needed for better nutrient availability and growth.
How Microbial Catalyst Works in the Rumen
Microbial Catalyst supports natural digestive processes by enhancing microbial activity and enzyme function. The result is more efficient fiber breakdown and greater energy release from forage and feed.
Stimulates Microbial Populations
Boosts Enzyme Activity
Increases Energy Availability
Supports Vitamin B12 Pathways
Microbial Catalyst activates the animal’s own microbial population, especially fungi and bacteria in the rumen. While bacteria produce enzymes that break down nutrients, fungi are critical for physically opening tough plant cell walls, unlocking more energy from forage.
A study from Southwest Minnesota State University showed that Microbial Catalyst increased bacterial enzyme activity and boosted fungal populations by two to five times.
Enzymes are biological catalysts essential for breaking down complex plant structures like cellulose. Microbial Catalyst acts as a cofactor to accelerate these reactions, allowing microbes to work faster and more efficiently to release glucose.
Cellulose is broken down into glucose, which is then fermented into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetate, propionate and butyrate. These are the primary energy sources for ruminants.
Propionate requires vitamin B12 to be converted into glucose. Microbial Catalyst also enhances both B12 production and propionate availability, improving glucose output for milk, fetal development and nervous tissue.
How Microbial Catalyst Works in the Soil
Soil already holds the potential to feed your crop, it just needs the right biological push. Microbial Catalyst works with your soil, not against it, to improve nutrient availability and plant performance. Essentially, Microbial Catalyst technology works as a key to unlock enzymes and release more nutrients for better growth and long-term soil health.
Stimulates Microbial Populations
Unlocks Tied-Up Nutrients
Improves Root and Plant Health
Increases Yield Potential
Just like in the rumen, Microbial Catalyst enhances native microbial activity in the soil. This creates a healthier, more diverse ecosystem capable of improving nutrient uptake and growth
Nutrients bound in organic matter or soil particles become more available through accelerated enzymatic reactions. This improves fertilizer efficiency and reduces the need for additional inputs.
Plants supported by healthier soil microbes develop deeper roots, larger biomass and greater resilience to stress like drought, wind or compaction.
Field trials consistently show improved emergence, healthier plants and measurable yield gains across corn, soybeans and other crops.
Research-Proven Performance
Livestock Highlights
Research from university and producer studies confirm consistent performance improvements:
- +0.4 lbs. average daily gain in calves
- +14 lbs. increase in weaning weight
- +0.33 improvement in body condition score
- +9% increase in timed AI pregnancy rate
- Total value gain: $70/cow from growth, condition and reproduction
Additionally, several electron microscopy images (shown below) confirm more advanced cell wall breakdown in forage treated with Microbial Catalyst, helping livestock access more energy from the same feed.
Soil and Crop Highlights
University and on-farm research show strong results for soil health and crop productivity:
- +6.7 bu/acre increase in corn yield
- +2.4 bu/acre increase in soybean yield
- Greater root mass, improved emergence, and stronger biomass
- Better nutrient cycling and overall plant health
- +18% increase in microbial biomass (PLFA analysis)
- +10.4% increase in microbial diversity
- +22% increase in microbial respiration (Haney test)
These images show the first greenhouse trial of Microbial Catalyst on plants in the early 2000s.
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Want to Unlock More from Your Feed or Fertilizer?
Microbial Catalyst helps you make better use of your most expensive inputs, feed and fertilizer, by activating the microbes already present in the rumen or soil. Let us help you apply it where it makes the biggest difference. Request a free consultation with a Ralco representative to get started!
FAQs About Microbial Catalyst
What is Microbial Catalyst?
A patented bioactive that stimulates microbial activity and enzyme function in both ruminants and soil systems to unlock more nutrients and energy.
How does it support digestion in ruminants?
It boosts the activity of native fungi and bacteria in the rumen, allowing for better breakdown of fiber and more efficient conversion into glucose and VFAs. The key sources of energy for livestock.
What role do fungi and bacteria play?
Fungi disrupt the tough outer layer of forage fibers, allowing bacteria to access and digest the cellulose inside. This teamwork results in higher energy extraction.
What is the energy value of Microbial Catalyst in cattle?
Feeding Microbial Catalyst is similar to adding an extra pound of corn per cow per day in energy availability, but without the added cost or risk of digestive upset.
How does it work in the soil?
It activates native soil microbes and serves as a cofactor for enzyme reactions that release nutrients bound in organic matter or fertilizer, improving nutrient availability and plant performance.
Is it safe for my animals and crops?
Yes. Microbial Catalyst has been validated by extensive research in both animal and crop applications. It is safe, effective and easy to integrate into existing management systems.
What makes Microbial Catalyst different from other microbial or enzyme products?
Microbial Catalyst uses patented chemistry that’s exclusive to Ralco. Unlike typical products that add microbes or enzymes, Microbial Catalyst stimulates native microbial activity by unlocking nutrients that are otherwise unavailable.
It transforms insoluble trace minerals into a highly soluble form, making them 100% available to plants and microbes.
This improved solubility helps support the natural production of:
- Amino acids
- Macro and micro nutrients
- Energy
- Vitamins
- Hormones
Whether applied to feed or soil, this chemistry enhances microbial efficiency and leads to better nutrient conversion, stronger plant growth and improved animal performance.
What kind of forages does Microbial Catalyst work best on for cattle?
Microbial Catalyst is especially effective on low-quality forages that are high in fiber and difficult for cows to digest, such as mature grasses, corn stalks, straw or weathered hay. These forages often have tightly bound plant cell walls that limit nutrient availability.
By stimulating native rumen microbes, Microbial Catalyst helps break down these tough fibers more efficiently. This improves digestibility, unlocks more energy and helps animals get more value from lower-cost, lower-quality feeds.
