ARS | Publication request: Improving Nitrogen Utilization in the Rumen of the Lactating Dairy Cow

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: December 18, 2005
Publication Date: January 31, 2006
Citation: Broderick, G.A. 2006. Improving nitrogen utilization in the rumen of the lactating dairy cow. In: Proceedings of the 17th Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, January, 2006, Gainesville, Florida. p. 11-24.

Technical Abstract: Inefficient utilization of the CP in ruminant diets, and the feeding of large amounts of protein supplements that this inefficiency necessitates, leads to excessive feed costs and environmental N losses in dairy production. Maximizing microbial protein formation in the rumen is the most effective way to improve the protein status of the lactating cow. Only part of the dietary protein can be replaced by urea or other NPN sources because of a limitation in the ability of ruminal microbes to utilize the resulting ammonia as their sole source of RDP. Ammonia is used best on diets with greater amounts of NFC and/or higher digestible fiber; thus, enhancing the value of NPN supplementation on diets based on tropical forages is problematic. Feeding more extensively processed concentrate, if adequate effective fiber is maintained in the diet, will help maximize utilization of dietary NPN for microbial protein formation in the rumen. Replacing some dietary NFC with sugars or high-pectin feeds may be advantageous for improving ruminal microbial protein formation. As well as supplying ruminal energy, adding molasses to the diet stimulates intake and, thus, helps improve production. The NRC (2001) model can also be used to match RDP with carbohydrate fermentation. Future research should be directed toward feeding only the CP required so as to minimize N excretion without losing animal productivity.