Lifetime performance improves when feeding rumen-protected methionine

Extensive research over the last three decades shows that feeding supplemental, encapsulated methionine increases the lifetime performance of dairy cows with the benefits first seen in milk, milk protein and milk fat production. By precisely balancing amino acid levels in the ration, nutritionists can economise the total protein level fed.

 Methionine is an essential amino acid and nutrient and typically is the first limiting amino acid in today’s dairy rations. Dairy cows cannot synthesise methionine in the quantity required for milk production, health and reproduction and feedstuffs cannot totally fill the nutritional requirement even when protein is overfed. The unique biochemical role of methionine has led to it being dubbed the enabler of all protein synthesis.  It is heavily involved in a multitude of key metabolic and immune pathways.