ARTICLE 78 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2025 Extra BW gain per cow Gain (kg) Gain (lb.) Value ($/cow) Value ($/100 cows) Table 3. Value of Extra Body Weight from Choline Moderate gain Average gain Higher gain 6 kg 12.5 kg 17 kg 13 lb. 28 lb. 37 lb. $12 $25 $34 $1,200 $2,500 $3,400 Component gain per cow/day Gain (kg) Gain (lb.) Added income ($/cow/day) Added income ($/100 cows/month) Table 2. Cost–Benefit of Choline on Milk Components Fat yield Fat yield Protein yield (avg) Protein yield (higher) 0.05 kg 0.09 kg 0.05 kg 0.08 kg 0.11 lb. 0.20 lb. 0.11 lb. 0.18 lb. $0.25 $0.45 $0.40 $0.65 $750 $1,350 $1,200 $1,950 Assuming fat price $5.00/kg ≈ $2.27/lb.; protein price $8.00/kg ≈ $3.64/lb. some commercial products. For producers, this means that while milk tests may not show higher percentages, choline helps ship more total fat and protein off the farm, directly increasing milk check value (Table 2). BODY CONDITION AND WEIGHT Rumen-protected choline (RPC) does not change body condition score (BCS), either before or after calving, which means cows are not gaining or losing visible condition from supplementation. However, overall body weight (BW) did increase, especially when cows received around 11 g/day, with an average gain of about 12.5 kg (≈27.5 lb.). This added weight is not from extra fat but reflects better nutrient use and more feed intake. In practical terms, cows maintained condition while carrying more body mass, a sign that RPC helps them cope with the transition period more efficiently (Table 3). TAKEAWAY Feeding rumen-protected choline during the transition period helps the liver handle fat, improves feed intake, and boosts milk. The best results are seen at 13–14 g/day, with slightly higher levels (15– 21 g/day) giving more fat-corrected milk and up to 24 g/day improving fat yield. Cows also gain body weight without losing condition, showing better nutrient use. For most farms, choline is a reliable investment, but the most profitable dose depends on milk price, feed costs, and product choice. Reference 1. “Based on results obtained from Ghaffari, M. H., Rezaei-Ahvanooei, M. R., Piray, A. H., Bahrampour, J., Ma, T., & Bradford, B. J. (2025). Effects of rumen-protected choline supplementation on lactation performance of dairy cows: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 108(9)
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