The challenges associated with the transition period in dairy cattle are well documented. The combination of negative energy and protein balance, driven by high nutrient demand and pre-calving reductions in feed intake, the physical insults of parturition, and the metabolic demands of the initiation of lactation leaves cows susceptible to multiple health issues and sub-optimal production. Resulting changes in liver function, unchecked inflammation, and oxidative stress can negatively affect these animals’ immunometabolism status, and contribute to common transition problems. Methionine plays m ..read more

It is widely recognized that inadequate dietary methionine can have a negative impact on both milk protein percentage and milk protein yield. A recent meta-analysis (Wei et al., 2022) quantified responses in these metrics seen across 14 studies that represented a range of dietary crude protein levels. Both milk protein concentration and yield were increased in every trial when rumen-protected methionine was supplemented, with a mean response of 0.1 percentage points and 0.10 pounds; these values were greater when diets contained more than 16% crude protein. New research presented at the recent ..read more

As we start planting our crops this year, our 2015 planting and growing season seems a distant memory. However, now that 2015 corn is being fed out, many of us are starkly reminded of the unpredictable weather patterns that caused mold and mycotoxins in crops last year. Unfortunately, once the molds and mycotoxins have formed on a plant, there is no way to eliminate them. However, understanding how to counter a mycotoxin challenge and ease your cows through a difficult time can help producers avoid a trying and costly period. It is commonly known that feeding your dairy cows mycotoxin contami ..read more