How Non Essential Amino Acids Affect Transition

Soon – perhaps before the end of 2023 – we will see the release of CNCPS version 7. This much anticipated update will include many enhancements which should enable dairy producers and their nutritionists to formulate better diets that will improve dairy productivity and profitability.   
This webinar will discuss CNCPS and the update to version 7 with Dr. Mike Van Amburgh and Dr. Andrew LaPierre from Cornell University.  They both have been actively working to complete this project, and together they have a great understanding of both the long-term “big picture” as well as the in-depth understanding of the fine details of the model.    
In this webinar they will share their insights and perspectives on the changes to the CNCPS model, the potential impact these updates will have, and some thoughts on CNCPS moving forward. 

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Features: Dr. Mike Van Amburgh, Professor, Cornell University, USA. Dr. Andrew LaPierre, post-doctoral associate, Cornell University, USA. Mike Shearing, Global formulation Manager, Adisseo.

As the dairy industry actively works to reduce its contribution to climate change, a number of avenues are being pursued. While methane mitigation is grabbing the headlines today, one very important avenue is flying under the radar:  improving the efficiency of use of dietary nitrogen in ruminant rations. The end goal is to reduce nitrogen excretion into the environment by:   

·       Reducing crude protein in the ration,   

·       Increasing the efficiency of use of the N in CP, and   

·       Minimizing the nitrogen excreted (converted to nitrous oxide) without impacting dairy performance and profitability.  

This webinar focuses on:  

·       The magnitude and positive consequences of lowering dietary crude protein on improving the efficiency of N utilization,   

·       The limits to reducing the CP content of rations without hurting performance,   

·       The opportunity of amino acid balancing diets to not only increase performance but simultaneously further lower dietary CP levels,   

·       What analytical and feed management  practices will be needed to dial in low-protein AA balanced diets that will ensure high performance is maintained,  

·       How the art of ration formulation may change as the industry is encouraged to take into account the origin of the ingredients in rations,  

·       Interest in eventually formulating rations not only on classical nutrients but also on carbon footprint specifications, and  

·       The KPIs to best capture the positive carbon footprint effects of AA balancing on lifetime performance. This would integrate heifer rearing costs, time to first calving, transition cow health and reproduction success, lower involuntary culling and ultimately cows having more lactations in the herd.  

Much is to be gained by managing all N inputs on dairy farms efficiently.  The gains from lowering CP levels in tandem with AA balancing are at least as important as the potential gains from methane mitigation strategies and luckily will work together to achieve sustainable goals.   

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Features: Dr. Chris Reynolds, Professor of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Reading, UK. Dr. Laurent Thiaucourt, Animal Nutrition Consultant, France. Dr. Brian Sloan, Business Director Protected Amino Acids, Adisseo. 

The objective of this webinar is to create awareness of how different events that happen throughout the lactation cycle impact the herd’s make-up and affect the overall economics of the dairy.  Estimating the long-term effects of non-contemporary events is not an easy task considering all the moving parts happening daily at any given dairy.  This is why Dr. Cabrera has developed multiple tools to link events and, via detailed calculations, determine the short- and long-term consequences, from the milk production and herd make-up to ultimately estimate the economics of implementing different management practices or using different nutritional approaches.  

In this webinar, Dr. Cabrera explains how some of the simulation models were created. Then we introduce a tool developed by our technical team with Dr. Cabrera to help the end user visualize the full economic impact, taking into consideration changes in dry matter intake, milk volume and composition, health and reproduction when implementing strategies to feed diets that are amino acid balanced.   

The website Dr. Cabrera is speaking about is: https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/ 

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Visit our webpage for more: https://www.adisseo.com/en/products/smartline/2023-webinar-series-30th-anniversary-of-aa-balancing/  

Features: Dr. Victor E. Cabrera, Professor and Extension Specialist in Dairy Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Dr. Daniel Luchini, Head of Ruminant R&I, Adisseo.

Researchers at Virginia Tech assessed molecular changes in the livers of cows supplemented with methionine during solely a subclinical mastitis challenge. The trial was designed to determine the metabolic response of cows fed Smartamine M and that had been infected by infusing Streptococcus uberis in the rear right quarter of the mammary gland.  Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled in the randomized complete block design and assigned to either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with RPM.  

The results of this work demonstrate how methionine affects metabolic pathways that impact antioxidant-related genes and, therefore, provide meaningful insights that help to explain the better health and higher milk production of cows after calving.  Methionine is not an antibacterial drug, but rather a required nutrient with functional properties.  

Feeding methionine during the transition period is becoming a common practice in commercial herds. Cows fed Smartamine M during this period have shown increased DMI and milk production, have experienced lower incidence of post-calving metabolic disorders and have had higher plasma antioxidant status.  

Features: Dr. Johan Osorio, Assistant Professor, One Health, Virginia Tech, USA.

Abstract 1: METHIONINE AND FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON MILK N3FA PERCENT AND YIELD   

Researchers from Cornell University investigated the effects of feeding RPM and calcium salts of fatty acids enriched with or without eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; i.e., n3FA) in transition cows.  

Supplying methionine to dairy cows has been observed to improve milk fat production. Additionally, supplying dietary fatty acids is known to alter the fatty acid profile of milk. The research, therefore, focused on the fatty acid composition of milk from cows fed RPM and calcium salts enriched in omega-3 fatty acids.  

Offering RPM and enriched calcium salts  improved the fatty acid profile of milk. EPA and DHA are known to have beneficial effects on metabolism in both animals and humans. Thus, producing milk with higher EPA and DHA can have health benefits for consumers.  

Abstract 2: AFFECT OF RPM AND CALCIUM SALTS ENRICHED IN OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS ON PLASMA AND LIVER PC AND PE PROFILES  

The same group from Cornell University also looked into the effects of feeding RPM and calcium salts enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (n3FA) on plasma and liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine concentrations of transition cows.  

Feeding methionine during the transition period has been observed to have beneficial effects on liver metabolism. n3FA have also been documented to alter metabolism. However, no previous work has investigated the effects of supplying both n3FA and methionine during the transition period.   

A randomized complete block study with 75 multiparous cows was used. Cows were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) Methionine (Met) deficient with calcium salts (CS) not enriched in n3FA 2) Methionine adequate with -n3FA, 3) -Met with CS enriched in n3FA or 4) +Met with +n3FA from wk -3 prior to expected calving through wk 4 of lactation.  

The results from this trial underscore the importance of feeding EPA and DHA along with a RPM source to high-producing dairy cows during the transition period.  

Even though there are not known requirements for polyunsaturated fatty acids for dairy cows, feeding them in conjunction with RPM resulted in changes in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in plasma and liver, reinforcing the beneficial effects reported previously on DMI, milk production and composition, and liver health.  

Features: Tanya France, Ph.D. student at Cornell University, USA.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison examined the beneficial effects of supplemental RPM during transition for dairy cows that were exposed to heat stress.  

Cows were blocked by parity and milk production, and were assigned to either thermoneutral conditions, heat stress induced by electric heat blankets, or heat stress along with the inclusion of RPM in the total mixed ration pre- and post-calving.  

The results underscored the negative impacts of heat stress on immune function and liver function. Supplying methionine to transition  cows under heat stress improved liver function, which can help cows better handle the associated negative metabolic effects.  

Heat stress causes increasing losses for the livestock industry as climate change occurs. Supplemental methionine during the transition period has been adopted on commercial farms due to the beneficial effect of methionine on milk production, immune function, inflammation, and metabolism.  

Features: Anne Gaudagnin, Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. 

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison examined the effects on cow-calf performance when heat-stressed transition cows received supplemental RPM.  Fifty-three cows were fed either a control diet or a control diet with Smartamine M beginning six weeks before expected calving. Four weeks pre-calving all methionine cows and half the control cows received an electric heat blanket. The other half of the control cows were left at thermoneutrality. Overall, RPM supplementation to transition cows reverts the negative impact of heat stress on milk protein and calf wither heights.   

The research results underscore the negative effects of heat stress on milk protein production and birth weight of calves. Consistent with previous work using late-lactation cows, methionine supplementation helped to mitigate the negative effects of heat stress on milk protein. Supplemental methionine during the transition period has been increasing on commercial farms due to the beneficial effect of methionine on milk production, health and metabolism as well as on the developing fetus.  

Features: Brittney Davidson, Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. 

Abstract 1: Amino acid supplementation as a potential strategy to mitigate milk fat depression  

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison also evaluated if they could help promote milk fat synthesis by supplying methionine and leucine during a milk fat depression that was induced by feeding dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Supplying methionine and leucine in the diet has been observed to increase milk fat synthesis via the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Both methionine and leucine are essential amino acids (AA) that activate mTORC1.  

The study was conducted as a replicated 4x4 Latin square. All diets included high starch. Factors were fat source: soybean oil  or an 80% palmitate fat supplement; and AA level.  

As expected, supplying soybean oil (linoleic acid) decreased milk fat percentage and yield compared to the control (palmitate fat supplement). While AA supplementation was not able to fully overcome the milk fat depression induced by soybean oil,it increased milk fat content and tended to increase milk fat production under both fat sources, partially mitigating the milk fat depression. The results further underscore the beneficial effects of AA supplementation on increasing milk fat production.  

Abstract 2: Energy source and amino acids independently alter mammary extraction of nutrients  

A separate study at the University of Wisconsin – Madison evaluated if mammary extraction of nutrients for the synthesis of milk components is affected by energy source (glucogenic or ketogenic) and by balanced AA supplementation. Twenty dairy cows were enrolled in a replicated 4x4 Latin square with four 28-d periods and 4 treatments arranged as a 2x2 factorial. Factors were AA level, AA deficient, or AA sufficient, balanced for methionine, lysine, and leucine (branched chain AA); and energy source: glucogenic or ketogenic.  
Overall, energy source did not affect mammary extraction of nutrients, except for fatty acids (FA) that were supplied at a  higher level by the ketogenic diet. On the other hand, balanced AA supplementation increased mammary extraction of AA and FA, in line with the observed response in milk protein and fat production by that treatment. The observed results underscore the benefits of AA balancing on mammary uptake of essential AA, which can support the activation of mTORC1 and, thereby, milk component synthesis.  mTORC1 is a cellular nutrient sensing complex that regulates metabolic processes like protein and fat synthesis.  

AA balancing dairy cow rations has been observed to enhance both milk protein and fat synthesis. Additionally, insulin and glucogenic energy have been observed to stimulate milk protein yields in dairy cows. Both insulin and AA, particularly methionine and leucine, stimulate mTORC1.  

Features: Kathryn Ruh, Ph.D. student at Arriola Apelo Lab, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.

This webinar links nutrition with dairy health and reproduction.  Health, particularly after calving, impacts reproductive outcomes two-to-four months later.  Poor health and reproductive performance can each lead to undesirable cullings.    

The challenge is to connect these two maladies. They don’t occur at the same time, so few people make the connection between them. During the webinar, the speakers give clear explanations of how the nutrition after calving is connected to reproductive problems and higher culling rates, and provide examples of how nutrition, specifically the essential nutrient methionine, helps cows overcome these stresses. 

 If you want to submit a question to our experts: https://adisseo.activehosted.com/f/76   

Visit our webpage for more: https://www.adisseo.com/en/products/smartline/2023-webinar-series-30th-anniversary-of-aa-balancing/  

Features: Dr. Phil Cardoso, Associate Professor of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, USA. Dr. Mateus Toledo, Dairy Nutrition Consultant, Land O’Lakes – Purina Animal Nutrition, USA. Dr. Daniel Luchini, Head of Ruminant R&I, Adisseo.

This webinar gives you an appreciation for the science behind the indexes (LFI, LAI, PIRI) used to gauge the liver health of cows during the transition period. The discussion includes how to use and interpret the indexes, and their importance in guiding management practices. The conversation closes with why it is important to assure that the pre-fresh diet contains enough methionine to help cows cope with postpartum challenges.  

To summarize, we discuss the importance of the transition phase to the whole lactation cycle, what areas to work on to lower unwanted cullings, and the tools we have to assess the challenges cows experience during the peripartum period.  

 If you want to submit a question to our experts: https://adisseo.activehosted.com/f/76   

Visit our webpage for more: https://www.adisseo.com/en/products/smartline/2023-webinar-series-30th-anniversary-of-aa-balancing/  

Features: Dr. Johan Osorio, Assistant Professor, One Health, Virginia Tech, USA. Dr. Erminio Trevisi, Head of Department of Animal Sciences, Food Nutrition, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy. Dr. Daniel Luchini, Head of Ruminant R&I, Adisseo.