Feed and Nutrition Herd Management

The VIP (Very Important Protein) for Dairy Cows

GLOBAL - Between current period of low milk prices, due to global overproduction, and the end of the European milk quota, it is of upmost importance to increase feed efficiency and optimize the biological processes related to milk production. Optimizing rumen function can help maximize metabolizable protein for high producing cows.

25 May 2016

1 minute read

Feed costs rank first among the variable costs of a dairy farm, although this can vary in relationship to farm forage availability. The most costly nutrients in dairy production are energy and protein. Sources of protein ingredients have experienced particular price pressure recently. Optimizing the use of amino acids and protein in the ration offers a way to improve milk production efficiency. Interestingly, the rumen microbiota produces both the most economical and highest quality source of protein and amino acid balance.