Smart Science Series™ Ruminant Podcasts

Non essential AA play an important role in early postpartum milk production and protein synthesis.  Research results point to the importance of the supply of certain non essential amino acids for maximizing early postpartum milk production and protein synthesis.  To maximize milk yields and components at the start of lactation, two factors are important. First, optimize a supply of essential AAs w...

The plasma free-amino acid (AA) dose-response method has now become the gold standard for estimating the bioavailability of AA in rumen protected AA supplements. Its robust but simple methodology consistently delivers the level of accuracy and reliability that’s needed. Refinements and improvements have reduced experimental variation while increasing accuracy and precision.  Based on 2021 American...

Mycotoxins reduce rumen performance, according to UNH research.  Mycotoxin deactivators increase the production of beneficial metabolites and, thus, increase cow health and performance.  The effects of the mycotoxin deactivator UNIKE® Plus was investigated on rumen parameters in cows fed mycotoxin-contaminated dried distillers grains. While mycotoxin impaired rumen volatile fatty acid production a...

Research shows the uterine immunometabolic status of dairy cows improves when a rumen protected methionine is fed during the peripartum period. The abundance of mRNA in inflammatory and metabolic pathways were favorably altered, indicating a beneficial effect of methionine on immune responses and metabolism during the challenging transition period and early lactation. This favors a uterine environ...

Methionine influences the synthesis of fatty acids in the mammary gland resulting in improvements in milk fat yield. In full lactation cows producing 50kgs/day, feeding Smartamine M, not only improved milk protein but also milk fat percent (4.13% vs 3.87%) independently of the metabolizable energy level of the diet.  The increase in milk fat was mediated through an increase in preformed and monoun...

The effect of supplementing low-forage dairy diets (28% forage) with rumen protected lysine and methionine to balance amino acid levels was evaluated. Supplemental amino acids did not alter milk fat and protein but had beneficial effects on milk yield and mammary health, increasing yields by +0.6 kg/d and decreasing risk of mastitis (0.39 times lower). Based on 2021 American Dairy Science Associat...

Supplemental methionine modulated liver protein abundance and enzyme activity, stabilizing  metabolism and making cows less susceptible to the metabolic disruptions caused by heat stress . Based on two 2021 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) abstracts: 436 Rumen-protected methionine during heat stress alters hepatic cystathionine β-synthase and methionine adenosyltransferase activity.  438...