ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2025 77 3. Supporting metabolism by serving as a methyl donor through its conversion to betaine, which helps the cow use nutrients efficiently for energy and protein synthesis. Because normal choline is destroyed in the rumen, it must be supplied as rumen-protected choline (choline). Research shows that feeding choline from three weeks before calving through early lactation helps cows in several ways. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Studies show that feeding choline around calving helps cows eat more and produce more milk when the dose is right. A 2025 review of thirty experiments by the Institute of Animal Science at the University of Bonn, Germany, evaluated the dose– response to identify how much choline is needed to maximize feed intake and milk production, providing producers with practical guidance for transition cow programs. The best results were seen at about 13–14 g per day, where cows ate almost half a kilo (1 pound) more feed dry matter and gave about 1.3 kilos (2.9 pounds) more milk per day. At slightly higher levels, 15–21 grams per day, cows produced over 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) more fat-corrected milk, with direct improvements in the milk check. Importantly, feeding choline before calving alone did not change intake, it is the consistent feeding through early lactation that pays off. For example, if choline costs about $0.25 per cow per day and the extra milk brings in $0.60 to $0.80, the net return is $0.35–0.55 per cow per day. Across 100 fresh cows, this adds up to an additional $1,000–1,500 in profit monthly, making it a cost-effective tool in transition cow programs (Table 1). MILK FAT AND PROTEIN Choline does not change the percentages of fat, protein, or lactose in milk, but it can increase the total amount of fat and protein produced each day. Fat yield improved steadily when cows received 12–24 g per day, with the best response adding about 0.09 kg (≈0.2 lb.) more fat per cow per day. Protein yield also improved in the 13–20 g/day range, though results varied more between studies. The best responses were seen when choline was fed beyond 21 days in milk and with Phosphatidylcholine N O OO O O O O H H H H O + Figure 1 Extra milk Extra revenue Extra milk Net return Net return ($/cow/day) ($/100 cows/month) Table 1. Cost–Benefit of Choline (Simplified Example) 1.0 1.3 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.9 4.4 4.9 0.45 0.59 0.9 0.99 0.2 0.34 0.65 0.74 600 1020 1950 2220 This example assumes milk at $0.45/kg (≈ $20.50/cwt) and choline costs of $0.25 per cow daily. The table shows the potential return depending on the extra milk response.
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