ARTICLE 52 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2022 EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTATION WITH RUMINALLY-PROTECTED CHOLINE ON PERFORMANCE OF COWS “Choline is an essential nutrient that enables cows to utilize the fat (NEFA) mobilized from body stores. The production of NEFA is the cows’ natural way of managing negative energy balance during the early stages of lactation and is a primary source of energy for many functions. A healthy and properly functioning liver allows cows to transition smoothly, resulting in elevated peak milk and a more persistent lactation curve for maximum productivity. University of Florida study evaluated the impact of feeding ReaShure® Precision Release Choline to cows during the transition period on milk production over the entire lactation.” INTRODUCTION Balchem now manufactures a high-quality, ruminally protected choline product called ReaShure®-XC Rumen Protected Choline, the next generation of ReaShure which provides bioavailable choline in a more concentrated product. Choline is an essential nutrient that enables cows to utilize the fat (NEFA) mobilized from body stores. The production of NEFA is the cows’ natural way of managing negative energy balance during the early stages of lactation and is a primary source of energy for many functions. A healthy and properly functioning liver allows cows to transition smoothly, resulting in elevated peak milk and a more persistent lactation curve for maximum productivity. Issues occur when the cow’s liver cannot effectively process all the NEFA being mobilized. This can adversely affect liver function, leading to increased ketones in the blood (ketosis). Ketosis can negatively affect feed intake and further exacerbate negative energy balance, leading to even more NEFA mobilization. One aspect of this University of Florida study evaluated the impact of feeding ReaShure® Precision Release Choline to cows during the transition period on milk production over the entire lactation. The study also tracked cow health, reproduction, calf performance and colostrum quality. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Ninety-three multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of four treatments at dry off. Treatments were dry cow diets that were formulated for either maintenance energy (1,40 Mcal NEL/kg) or high energy (1,63 Mcal NEL/kg) and then either with or without 12,9 gr/day/ cow of choline ion in a rumen protected form for approximately 21 days prepartum through 21 days postpartum. After calving all cows received the same lactation diet and individual dry matter intakes and milk production was measured through 15 and 40 weeks of lactation respectively. Marcos Zenobi, Ph.D. Technical Services Manager Balchem
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