FEEDING
Precise PredictabiLity
Precise rations, Predictable PerformanCE
New technology and products make
more precise rations possible. With
these rations come cost savings,
more efficient use of feed resources
and the same or better herd perfor-
mance.
Submitted article
Cost savings, high production
levels and reduced nitrogen excretion have
earned amino acid balancing a place in ration
formulation strategies. Even greater opportu-
nity exists for precision
and more predictable
performance results.
On individual dairies,
determination of the
return on amino acid
balancing depends on
two factors, according to
Glen Aines, Ph.D., tech-
Dr. Glen Aines
nical support Specialist
at Balchem Animal
Nutrition and Health.
“The return on invest-
ment (ROI) depends on
herd response and ration
cost. In seven recent
research studies, the
average change in milk
Dr. Chuck Schwab components was worth
53¢/cow/day, assuming
a protein value of $2.20/lb. and a butterfat
value of $1.20/lb.
Chuck Schwab, professor emeritus at the
University of New Hampshire and dairy con-
Table 1. Percent lysine, methionine
and lysine: methionine ratio of
common feedstuffs
Lysine:
Lysine Methionine Methionine
%CP %CP ratio
Milk 7.71 2.49 3.1:1
Alfalfa hay 5.08 1.56 3.3:1
Blood meal 8.98 1.17 7.7:1
Corn 2.84 2.13 1.3:1
Fish meal 7.65 2.81 2.7:1
Soybean meal
( 48% CP) 6.29 1.44 4.4:1
24 November 2009 EASTERNDAIRYBUSINESS
sultant, would expect no less. Dr. Schwab has
Table 2. Response to feeding
been involved in amino acid research since
rumen-protected lysine
the 1970s. Control 30 grams* 60 grams*
“Historically, nutritionists have used a Dry Matter Intake, lb. 23.5 24.8 25.0
blend of rumen undegradable protein sources Milk, lb. 38.6 41.2 40.9
in an attempt to match the cow’s needs,” Milk fat, lb./day 2.45 2.81 2.80
Milk protein, lb./day 2.63 2.73 2.75
said Aines. “These feedstuffs, however, go
MUN, mg/dl 14.7 14.8 14.8
through some transformations during rumen * AminoShure-L
digestion that can further alter their amino
acid profiles.” Why not put in a pound of something that ru-
Considerable variation in amino acid levels men bacteria will respond to such as ferment-
exists in common feedstuffs. Table 1 provides able carbohydrates? We know that a pound of
some typical values for amino acids in com- fermentable carbohydrate is probably good
mon feeds. for 2 to 4 lbs. of milk,” said Schwab.
Use of amino acid balancing to decrease
Protected methionine crude protein while maintaining or increasing
The introduction of protected methionine performance is also good for the environment.
products simplified amino acid balancing. Bringing down ration crude protein levels
The protected methionine, one of the first two decreases nitrogen excretions.
limiting amino acids, survives the harsh ru-
men environment increasing availability and Distillers grains
absorption in the small intestine. “Yet, some Recently, use of distillers grains from
differences among these products exists,” ethanol production has received research
noted Schwab. attention. Both corn and distillers grains are
Developing a protected lysine product naturally low in lysine.
proved far more challenging. Lysine is the “In scenarios where we’re seeing a lot
other first limiting amino acid. The first of corn-based products and byproducts in
rumen-protected lysine was introduced in the ration, adding a protected lysine product
the fall of 2008. Far more cost-effective and certainly could benefit,” said Ken Kalscheur,
more precise rations followed. Nutritionists Ph.D., associate professor of Dairy at South
are confidently bringing crude protein levels Dakota State University.
down from 18%-19% to 16.5%-17%. The me- “The question is ‘what
thionine and lysine levels no longer need to ingredients are you using
be assured by over feeding protein. Reducing and what impact does
the protein level also reduces ration costs. that have in formulat-
ing for specific amino
Protected lysine acids?’ ”
Research with the new rumen-protected He looks forward to
lysine defines its benefits. The research used using the new rumen-
Dr. Ken
a control diet deficient in lysine. Cows were Kalscheur protected lysine product
fed 0, 30, or 60 grams of the rumen-protected in distiller-grains-based
lysine. All diets contained approximately diets and seeing how it does on individual
16.8% protein, the same energy content and dairies. “I definitely think there are areas
sufficient methionine to prevent methionine where it can be used, but it comes down to
from limiting performance. Researchers then cost,” he said. “If it’s cost effective, people
measured the specific response to increased will adapt.”
lysine.
The decrease in percent crude protein Processing affects lysine
makes room for more of other feedstuffs. Inconsistency in byproduct feeds poses
“When producers save a pound of protein, a potential problem when formulating for
they can put in a pound of something else. amino acids particularly for lysine where bio-
www.dairybusiness.com
 Bedding
Table 3. Blood meal vs. rumen-protected lysine as a
soure of digestible lysine
Lysine Lysine MP
CP % RUP % Digestibility % Lysine %

Recovery
Blood meal A, Dairy NRC 2001 9.0 82 74.3 5.35
Blood meal B 8.0 95 53.0 5.03
Blood meal C 9.0 85 55.0 4.21
Blood meal D 9.2 80 80.0 5.89
AminoShure-L 38.0 80 80.0 24.30

availability can be significantly reduced by processing. Lysine levels,

ruminal bypass and intestinal absorption vary with the feedstuff and
its processing. A good example of this is blood meal (see the Table 3).

Amino acid balancing

The process starts with the software for ration formulation. Many
allow for amino acid balancing. Guidelines or assistance with balanc-
ing amino acids is available from most suppliers of rumen-protected
methionines and lysine. The following steps lay the proper ground-
work, according to Schwab.
1) Balance the ration for fermentable carbohydrates,
such as high-quality forages and finely ground or steam-flaked cereal
grains and adequate effective fiber.
“Fermentable carbohydrates support good rumen health and maxi-
mize microbial protein synthesis,” Schwab said. “Because microbial
protein has a superior amino acid profile to rumen undegradable
protein (RUP), higher microbial protein production allows nutrition-
ists and producers to feed lower levels of more costly RUP. DRY AS SAWDUST
2) Balance for methionine and lysine, the first two limit-
ing amino acids. Replace low-lysine feeds with high-lysine protein
supplements or the new rumen-protected lysine product.
“Many producers and nutritionists are moving from rations with
• Recycle Manure Solids Into
18%-18.5% crude protein to rations with 16%-16.5% crude protein,”
Schwab said.
Sanitized Bedding
“The 2% difference in ration can now be filled with fermentable
carbohydrates which support milk production,” he said. • Sell Excess For
Well managed herds can respond quickly. “We find that cows
really respond,” said Schwab. “We’ll see the milk protein percent Added Revenue
respond in just a few days. The full effects of the milk fat percent take
longer, but typically appear within a month. Over time, the change in • Cows Prefer
milk protein percent typically becomes more pronounced.”
Other typical expectations include: • Does Not Increase Mastitis
• Increased use of homegrown feedstuffs
• Lower ration crude protein levels • Supported by
• Feeding of more roughage to fill space created in the ration
• Increases in milk yield and components University Research
• Reduced protein costs for reduced ration costs
• Less excretion of nitrogen into the environment • Financing Available

FYI
■ Chuck Schwab is professor emeritus at the University of New
Hampshire and dairy consultant. E-mail: Charles.Schwab@unh.edu.
Phone: 603-862-1341 4755 Innovation Way, Chambersburg, PA
■ Ken Kalscheur is associate professor of dairy at South Dakota State Office: (717) 261-5711
University. E-mail: kenneth.kalscheur@sdstate.edu.
Phone: 605-688-5482 Fax: (717) 263-7399
■ Glen Aines is technical support specialist at Balchem Animal Nutri- Website: www.integrityagsystems.com
tion and Health. E-mail: gaines@balchem.com. Phone: 402-305-3909.

www.dairybusiness.com November 2009 EASTERNDAIRYBUSINESS 25