ISSUE FOCUS 36 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 • Using multiple ingredients dilutes the cost impact of a singular ingredient, • Rather than reformulating with complex models—just swap 100 g of soya protein for an RPAA equivalent, • Use sophisticated computer modeling systems to meet dietary nutrient requirements on a best-cost basis, lowering crude protein levels and reducing costs. Success hinges on fixing any amino acid shortfall and by ensuring the correct ratios of lysine to methionine and amino acid per unit of energy. This creates space, allowing more energy or fibre to turbocharge genetic expression. ADD THEM ON TOP The most commonly used approach for feeding rumen-protected amino acids is to simply add them in addition to or “on top” of the current ration being fed, with the goal of increasing milk and milk component production. Benefits of this method include: • A visible production jump in component production with a clear return on investment if requirements are met, • Simple and easy, • More amino acids can unlock the cow’s genetic potential. Drawbacks? More expensive, and you’ll need a solid performance boost to justify it—tricky to measure on busy commercial farms with endless variables. Getting lysine and methionine levels spot-on depends on knowing your feedstuffs and trusting models, which can be off if inputs like intake or ingredient analyses are wrong. THE BOTTOM LINE RPAAs offer multiple paths to harness a cow’s biology and genetic promise. Start simple: Use them as ingredients to tweak rations, boost performance, and trim costs. As we chase higher-quality milk with less environmental baggage, you must contend with ingredients that vary in price, quality, and supply. RPAAs—like AminoShure™-XM (38% metabolizable methionine) or AminoShure™-L (24.3% metabolizable lysine)—bring consistency and cost-effectiveness, stabilising rations in a volatile market. In short, RPAAs aren’t just about feeding better— they’re about feeding smarter. They align nutrition with genetics, letting cows shine while keeping farms profitable and green. With tools like CNCPS and products like these, we’ve got a significant chance to close the gap between what cows can do and what we’re helping them achieve. About Dr. Sion Richards Dr. Sion Richards hails from a farm in North Wales and holds a degree in Animal Science from the University of Nottingham. He furthered his studies at the same institution, earning a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry. Thereafter, he worked for Provimi as a Commercial Ruminant Nutritionist and later as Research and Technical Manager. He then transitioned to the UK feed industry, taking on roles as a Technical Manager and Senior Dairy Cow Nutritionist. His expertise expanded during his tenure at DSM Nutritional Products, where he was the Senior Ruminant Specialist and Ruminant Markets Manager for EMEA. Following this, he joined Adisseo as the Ruminant Technical Manager for Europe. Currently, Dr. Richards is the Ruminant Technical Services Manager for EMEA at Balchem. With over 25 years of both practical and technical ruminant nutrition expertise, Dr. Richards brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his field.
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