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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Cell Wall Biology and Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338660
Title: Feeding rumen-protected methionine pre- and postpartum increases milk protein content and yield in early lactation

Author
item TOLEDO, MATEUS - University Of Wisconsin
item GENNARI, RODRIGO - University Of Wisconsin
item BARLETTA, RAFAEL - University Of Wisconsin
item MONTEIRO, JR., PEDRO - University Of Wisconsin
item GAMARRA, CAIO - University Of Wisconsin
item PRATA, ALEXANDRE - University Of Wisconsin
item DOREA, JOAO - University Of Wisconsin
item JONES, ANNA - University Of Wisconsin
item LUCHINI, DANIEL - Adisseo Usa, Inc
item Zanton, Geoffrey
item VAN AMBURGH, MICHAEL - Cornell University
item GIORDANO, JULIO - Cornell University
item SHAVER, RANDY - University Of Wisconsin
item WILTBANK, MILO - University Of Wisconsin

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2017
Publication Date: 5/5/2017
Citation: Toledo, M.Z., Gennari, R.S., Barletta, R.V., Monteiro, Jr., P.L., Gamarra, C.A., Prata, A.B., Dorea, J.R., Jones, A., Luchini, D., Zanton, G.I., Van Amburgh, M.E., Giordano, J.O., Shaver, R., Wiltbank, M.C. 2017. Feeding rumen-protected methionine pre- and postpartum increases milk protein content and yield in early lactation [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 100(suppl 2):116.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Objectives were to evaluate the effects of feeding rumen-protected methionine (MET) from 23 d (±12) before calving until 98 days in milk (DIM) on lactation performance, dry matter intake (DMI), body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) change of dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 223) were enrolled before calving and housed in replicated close-up (10 cows each) and lactation pens (16 cows each) in a free-stall barn, milked 2x daily, pen-fed a basal diet formulated to contain 14.5% and 16.2 % CP in close-up and lactation periods, respectively, and randomly assigned to either: 1) MET, fed 13 g Smartamine M mixed with 214 g of distillers grains (DDGS) with 1441 g of metabolizable protein (MP), 6.86% Lys and 2.67% Met and 27 g of Smartamine M mixed with 200 g DDGS, 3300 g of MP, 6.72% Lys and 2.56% Met of MP, close-up and lactation periods, respectively; and 2) Control (CON), fed 227 g of DDGS either close-up and lactation, with 1432 g of MP, 6.89% Lys and 2.15% Met and 3292 g MP, 6.75% Lys and 2.08% Met of MP, close-up and lactation periods, respectively, with mixes that were incorporated into the total mixed ration (TMR). Milk yields were recorded daily and milk composition and milk components yields determined weekly and analyzed using a linear mixed model with repeated measures For lactation pens, DMI was recorded daily and the average of the period when pens were full analyzed using linear mixed model. BCS and BW were determined from calving until third and sixth week, respectively and analyzed by logistic regression. The MET treatment increased milk protein percentage (2.80% vs. 2.95%, P < 0.001) and yield (1.39 Kg/d vs. 1.44 Kg/d, P = 0.03), with no difference in ECM, 3.5% FCM, milk fat, lactose, somatic cell count or milk urea nitrogen. Feeding MET had no effect on DMI (P = 0.67) or milk yield (49.7 Kg/d vs. 49.0 Kg/d, P = 0.35). BCS change (P = 0.97) and BW change (P = 0.80) were unaffected by MET treatment. Feeding MET pre- and post-partum improved lactation performance by increasing milk protein percentage and yield; however, BCS and BW change, DMI, milk yield and other milk components were unaffected by treatment.