Mepron® - The best Methionine source for ruminants shows excellent handling properties

The addition of Amino acid to the dairy cows in the formulations came more attention from a few years ago; today most of the farmers are interested in this technology. The research start up long time ago, as an example when start to study the free methionine and lysine had a relatively high rumen degradation escape values when they were fed to high producing dairy cows (Velle et al., 1997, 1998; Volden et al., 1998). But this came more popular now when was found that all the amino acid have a complete linked with the bacteriological activity into the digestion process. As a Dairy Consultant for hot environment’s (in desert, tropical and sub-tropical conditions) we start to develop some trails in the farms using Methionine from different brands, this was a complete new experience because the formulation of the cows to achieve 35-40 lit is not exactly the same like in temperate countries as USA or Europe, also if the principle are the same the feeds quality and the high temperature and moisture has an important influence in the digest process. About three years ago, we start up some trails in about 4 farms, with about 1 to 2 corrals of 130 cows in each farm with average production of 35 to 40 lit by corral. With the comparative corrals we found that in some cases was not difference in the production with the same formulation, management and environment and only one show a difference of one liter by cow average but it was not economically feasible. On the following years we continuous testing with different test, and today with about 6,700 milking cows under evaluation we learn the following for hot environment’s: 1) The brand we select is from Kemin as MetiPEARL and LysiPEARL for the best results we had in comparison with other brands (price/quality). 2) When we combine Methionine with Lysine we found better results than using Methionine alone. 3) We found a high reduction in the use of Soybean meal, from 4.5 kg in the original formula to 2.6 kg (according the type of formulation in the farm) keeping the same production. 4) The best improvement was noted in reproduction or conception rate, Fat stability and Protein increase. 5) The best results were noted in the general performance of the cows, more healthy, better BCS (as feed assimilation) and reduction of the minor affections as laminitis, mastitis, etc. 6) The amino acid addition used is a rate of 3/1 (Lys-Met) in base to NRC, and the formulation variation, with about 10 gm. of Met and 20 gm. of Lys (according the formula). The economic result we do not calculate yet, we consider that some of the results are difficult to evaluate, maybe the most notorious is relate to the reduction of the Soybean Meal used as a directly reduction in the feeding cost. Gustavo Pourraid Dairy Management Consultancy Services Director of AgriConsultAS LLC