Implications of supplementing mid-lactation multiparous Holstein cows fed high by-product low-forage diets with rumen-protected methionine and lysine in a commercial dairy

Supplementation of rumen-protected amino acids may improve dairy cow performance but few studies have evaluated the implications of supplementing low-forage diets. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementing rumen-protected methionine (Met) and lysine (Lys) on milk production and composition as well as on mammary gland health of mid-lactating Holstein cows from a commercial dairy farm feeding a high by-product low-forage diet. A total of 314 multiparous cows were randomly assigned to control (CON; 107 g of dry distillers' grains) or rumen-protected Met and Lys (RPML; 107 g dry distillers' grains + 107 g of RPML). All study cows were grouped in a single dry-lot pen and fed the same total mixed ration diet twice a day for a total of 7 weeks. Treatments were top-dressed on the total mix ration immediately after morning delivery with 107 g of dry distillers' grains for 1 week (adaptation period) and then with CON and RPML treatments for 6 weeks. Blood samples were taken from a subset of 22 cows per treatment to determine plasma AA (d 0 and 14) and plasma urea nitrogen and minerals (d 0, 14, and 42). Milk yield and clinical mastitis cases were recorded daily, and milk components were determined bi-weekly. Body condition score change was evaluated from d 0 to 42 of the study. Milk yield and components were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Treatment effects were evaluated at the cow level considering parity and milk yield and composition taken at baseline as a covariate in the models. Clinical mastitis risk was assessed by Poisson regression. Plasma Met increased (26.9 vs 36.0 µmol/L), Lys tended to increase (102.5 vs 121.1 µmol/L), and Ca increased (2.39 vs 2.46 mmol/L) with RPML supplementation. Cows supplemented with RPML had higher milk yield (45.4 vs 46.0 kg/d) and a lower risk of clinical mastitis (risk ratio = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.17-0.90) compared to CON cows. Milk components yield and concentrations, somatic cell count, body condition score change, plasma urea nitrogen, and plasma minerals other than Ca were not affected by RPML supplementation. Results suggest that RPML supplementation increases milk yield and decreases the risk of clinical mastitis in mid-lactation cows fed a high by-product low-forage diet. Further studies are needed to clarify the biological mechanisms for mammary gland responses to RPML supplementation.