Rumen-protected form

The availability of some nutrients is a known challenge in ruminant nutrition. Many nutrients are already degraded before reaching the small intestine. To meet the cow nutrient requirements and to maximize the production potential, some nutrient deficiencies should be corrected. One of the most efficient ways of correcting these deficiencies is through the supplementation of small amounts of these nutrients in a rumen-protected form.

Innovad^®'s special coating technique is based on advanced technology involving synchronized spray cooling of a composite matrix of primarily selected long chain fatty acids. This technique assures that the maximum amount of protected nutrients is able to by-pass rumen fermentation and remain available in the small intestine. The coating protects nutrients from oxidation, pH, light and makes the product free flowing and non-hygroscopic.

Choline

After a cow calves there is a rapid change in a cow’s metabolic demand. There is a two-fold increase in energy requirements and this causes a negative energy balance (NEB). The lipid mobilization from the adipose tissue starts and as a result, blood nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations typically increase 5- to 10-fold. NEFA concentration and blood flow to the liver are the two biggest factors affecting how much NEFA is taken up by the liver. The liver can’t cope with the increased load of fatty acid to the liver. Ruminants have a low capacity to export fat from the liver as VLDL compared to nonruminants. This and the inability to markedly increase fatty acid oxidation is why dairy cattle develop fatty liver when experiencing elevated blood NEFA. It is now apparent that choline deficiency is the limiting factor for VLDL export from the liver. The rate of VLDL export is highly related to the rate of phosphatidylcholine synthesis. Choline is a precursor of phospholipids, an essential component of lipoproteins.

When animals are deficient in choline they are prone to fatty livers. Choline could also spare methionine (10g of choline would provide the equivalent methyl groups found in 44g of methionine).

Benefits

• Improved liver function
• Reduced incidents of fatty liver syndrome
• Milk fat content
• Sparing effect on Methionine
• Reduced incidents of clinical ketosis and mastitis
• Increased dry matter intake

Dosage

• Dairy cows: 20-80 gram per head per day
• Beef: 5-20 gram per head per day