In simple way ,yes , if your economics allow you to use fat then go ahead. It is not a bad option to change the negative energy balance of cow into positive balance. In field condition of Pakistan our animals are in negative enegy balance especially after calving and farmer cannot afford such additional supplementations but in typical farm condition like you if your animals are not proper feed intake, after calving which is quite common and also poor in BCS ,this will be good option, to meet the requirment and to avoid shirnking of animal.
In Pakistani conditions we have used (palm oil based) by pass fat in dairy rations @2.5-3[percent] with good results in terms of milk yield and fat contents.
Live stock nutrition need suppliment and in pakistan silage is not properly used.In pakistan traditional method of fats suppliements are also used like the cow head and jackals fats are given to camels for their strgnth and in our farm we give vanaspati oil to cows especially for meet purpose .It also imrove the fitness of cows for selling purpose.
It is very important to understand fats are produce by the biological process in animals .If more surplus food will be given to animals it comes under the process of gluconiogensis.And if we give fats as a suppliment it metabolises to fatty acids . Hence feed back mechanism leads to disturbe digestion of animals as the cows originally herbivore there for specialised enzymetic digestion would be mallified howeverplant fats could be used according to limits.And scaduals should be foolowed strictly.
The advent of feeding bypass fat to dairy cows started in seventees of last century. The enhancement of milk production through breeding program necessitated the requirement of higher dietary energy. The derivation of energy from the starch based high fiber ration was inadequate to meet the energy needs. The development of bypass protein advocated the availability of energy through gluconeogenesis. Further research suggested the development of rumen inert fat which could offset the energy requirement. The less feed intake in comparison to the nutrient requirement of higher milk yield made the negative energy status in fresh cows. The development of bypass fat could solve the energy requirement computation. Therefore, its usage in dairy ration became a common practice. The heavy metals like nickel and cadmium in the bypass fat warned its level of incorporation and also its melting point below 56 deg C. Several 0rocess techniques were developed from producing Ca salts of LCFA to hydrogenation of fats and separation of fatty acids and freeze drying.
While evaluating the above technology nutritionally its metabolic pathway needs to be examined. The bypass fat that escapes the rumen metabolism gets metabolised at lower tract to acetyl CoA by releasing collosal amount of ATP and GTP. The above energy supports the milk production. The release of fatty acids into blood stream which reaches the udder where it could be incorporated into milk fat corrects the low fat syndrome in milk. However, the acetyl CoA that was transported to liver further converted into VLDL which increases the cholesterol level in milk. The above phenomenon affects liver function which could be evident from higher LDH and other liver tests. The over usage of bypass protein also indicates higher BUN and MUN by close examination. Bottom line is low milk yield and fertility problems.
In order to correct the above metabolic problem I could develop a new product - Mettalic salts of fats and sucrose. It would be a rumen inert fat and sugar which would supply dietary energy in the form of ATP,GTP, Glucose and fatty acids ( C18 and omega acids). Another approach is the development of Sweet Haylage a sugar treated hay with probiotics. The above development needs technical and financial support from interested companies as it is impossible for an individual to accomplish.
From my consultancy experience with dairy farms in tropics I feel strongly that a suitable feeding regimen needs to be innovated rather than just depending on the temperate models of NRC and ARC. I shall appreciate the interractions from the forum
Hi All,
Yes, the inclusion rate depends on the how the cows have transitioned them selves during the last dry period, most often working with cross breds it is of imperative that you can utilize to the cows on second and above lactation to repay back interms of milk. Try and assess the group BCS and decide.
If the inclusion rate and the concurrent non occurence of any othert medical conditions the cows defenitely repay the cost involved. Aim for comprehensive improvement like a simple protocol of giving prppylene glycol and calcium gel to combat ketosis and see the results.
Thanks,
Dr Mathan Kumar
Feeding fat on fresh cows is the consequence of ignorance about hepatic oxidation around calving. Nutritionists only take care of energy density, but we are feeding cows. Don´t forget the liver and the rumen.
Dear Jose & All,
Thanks for sharing valuable suggestions. As far as fat nutrition and liver metabolism is concerned, I would like to share some facts. Cow in her last 15 days of calving, reduces approx. 30 % dry matter intake and therefore starts mobilizing fats from adipose tissues to provide energy. In this juncture, liver becomes fatty in late pregnancy. Research shows that higher fat mobilization in prefresh cow increases chances of kitosis and retention of placenta. Even after parturition, mobilization of fat continues due to transition stress & higher energy output in milk. We cant ignore mobilized fat coming to liver but important concern is:
whether mobilized fat has gone through beta oxidation to produce ATP or not? There are three outcomes:
1. If part of fat in liver ends up with kitone bodies syntheis, Kitosis will take place which increases treatment cost at farm
2. Liver health is affected which also affects various body functions
3. Cow compromises with her body fat and thus show poor body condition.
Liver health & proper utilization of depleted fat is important to experience unidentified profits from newly calved cows.
There are two ways to improve liver health and fat utilization:
1. Improve beta oxidation of fat to relase more ATP
Carnitine helps in improving beta oxidation. Research shows if you supplement Choline, you can improve carnitine synthesis and thus fat utilization
2. If excess fat coming to liver is converted in to VLDL (to reduce chances of fatty liver)
Phospholipids are required in this process which is synthesized by Choline. Coversion of fat in to VLDL provide more usable energy and helps in milk fat synthesis.
As 98 % choline is degraded in rumen, so applying a rumen bypass choline technology is a great opprtunity for a dairy professional.
Kindly feel free to call and /or write me to discuss further.
Thanks for your kind attention.
Dr. Deepak K Dubey
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