Optimizing the Response of Supplemental Lysine in Lactating Dairy Cows Lysine is often the first limiting essential amino acid in metabolizable protein (MP) forlactating dairy cows, particularly in corn- and soybean-based diets. However, productionresponses to rumen-protected lysine (RPL) have been inconsistent across research studiesover the years, making it difficult to determine when supplementation is both […]

A Perspective on Histidine Supplementation: Lactational Performance As dairy nutritionists look to reduce dietary crude protein to improve nitrogen efficiency, sustainability, and feed costs, focusing on supplying adequate amounts of digestible essential amino acids has become increasingly more important. Among these essential amino acids, histidine has been identified as a limiting nutrient for milk and […]

Raw vs Roasted Soybeans – Feeding roasted high oleic soybeans to high producing cows Soybeans are a common oilseed used in dairy rations as a source of both protein and energy. Recently high oleic soybeans (HOSB) have been developed due to interest from the human food industry to have an increase in oleic acid compared […]

Metabolizable Protein Supply improves early lactation performance in transition cows During the transition period, dairy cows experience a protein deficit. The demand for aminoacids to support colostrum and milk production, immune function, and glucose synthesisoften exceeds the supply because of a reduction in feed intake. This imbalance is worsenedby a negative energy balance, which leads […]

Supplementing Rumen-Protected Methionine during the transition period under artificially induced heat stress improves metabolic and performance outcomes for cow and calf Heat stress during the transition period in dairy cows can impair both maternal performance and offspring development. Reduced DMI, lower milk yield and composition, and compromised fetal growth are commonly observed. Methionine, a key […]

Supplementing rumen-protected methionine to lactating dairy cows challenged with subclinical mastitis improves lactation performance and alleviates inflammation Mastitis, a prevalent production disease in dairy cattle, results in significant losses due to decreased milk production, increased veterinary costs, and heightened antibiotic use. Subclinical mastitis is particularly problematic because it lacks visible symptoms yet leads to elevated […]

Fat or Fatty acids? How do we use them to understand nutrient value? In general, the chemical nature and content of lipids in different feed ingredients used in ruminant diets is heterogeneous. As research in animal nutrition progresses, there is a greater understanding of nutrient utilization and value by farm animals. In order to develop […]

Assessing the value of protein feedstuffs for lactating dairy cows The autumn season is approaching and so is new crop corn and soybeans. Prices of feeds are often at their yearly low and dairymen are looking to contract material. Determining the value of different feeds is especially important this time of year. Historically, we have […]