NOVAMEAL: The NEXT Revolution
of Nutrient Technology
RATION REFORMULATION
MIDWEST Ration Reformulation
Shows a 18¢ savings per head per day by reformulating 5.68 pounds of NovaMeal into the ration by removing bypass SBM and DDGS and slightly reducing SBM.
SOUTHWEST Ration Reformulation
Shows a 10¢ cost increase per head per day to replace NovaMeal and still obtain the same nutrient flow, the ration would need to add in rumen protected methionine and bypass soybean meal, increase canola meal and sorghum silage along with other slight ingredient modifications.
CALIFORNIA Ration Reformulation
Shows a 11¢ savings per head per day by reformulating 3.3 pounds of NovaMeal into the ration by replacing nearly half the canola meal. Another example shows a 9¢ savings per head per day by reformulating 3.25 pounds of NovaMeal into the ration, completely removing canola meal and protein pairing NovaMeal with soybean meal. Other slight reformulation adjustments were also made to both rations.
RESEARCH BRIEFS
Performance and amino acid utilization of early lactation cows fed NovaMeal
Mjoun et al., 2010. Journal of Dairy Science. 93:3176-3191.A lactation study was conducted to evaluate milk production, milk composition, plasma metabolites and the mammary uptake of amino acids in cows fed distillers grains as the primary protein supplement in early lactation. Distillers grains were fed as DDGS (10.8% fat, 31.3% CP) or NovaMeal (3.5% fat1, 34.0% CP).
Key Study Results
- Cows fed NovaMeal had similar dry matter intake and milk yield, and increased milk protein percentage and yield (P = 0.03 and P = 0.05, respectively) compared with those fed soybean-based diets.
- Cows fed NovaMeal have a greater plasma methionine concentration (P < 0.001) and a tendency for greater mammary uptake of methionine (P = 0.07) vs. cows fed soybean-based diets.
- While cows fed NovaMeal have a lower plasma lysine concentration (P < 0.01), the mammary uptake of lysine was similar to cows fed soybean-based diets, which is due to greater extraction efficiency of lysine in cows fed NovaMeal (P < 0.001).
Performance and amino acid utilization of mid-lactation cows fed increasing amounts of NovaMeal
Mjoun et al., 2010. Journal of Dairy Science. 93:288-303.A lactation study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding increasing amounts of NovaMeal1 (3.5% fat, 34.5% CP) at the expense of soybean products to mid-lactation dairy cows on milk production, milk composition, plasma metabolites and the mammary uptake of amino acids.
Key Study Results
- Milk fat increased as the level of NovaMeal in the diet increased (P < 0.05), while milk protein increased up to 20% inclusion of NovaMeal (P < 0.05; Table 1). Dry matter intake and milk yield were similar for all diets.
- Plasma methionine concentration increased as the level of NovaMeal in the diet increased (P < 0.05), and plasma lysine decreased as level of NovaMeal in the diet increased (P < 0.05).
- The mammary uptake of both methionine and lysine was similar for all diets, demonstrating that the high demand for metabolizable amino acids to synthesize milk and milk protein was not limited when NovaMeal was fed as the primary protein source, up to 30% inclusion.
Ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of protein and amino acids in NovaMeal and other common soybean and corn protein sources
A study was conducted to compare ruminal degradation and intestinal digestibility of protein and amino acids of different protein sources (NovaMeal, as well as common soybean and corn protein sources), using in situ and in vitro techniques.Mjoun et al., 2010. Journal of Dairy Science 93:4144-4154.
Key Study Results
- NovaMeal had the greatest RUP and lowest RDP of the protein sources evaluated.
- NovaMeal had the greatest RUPD (RUP digestibility) of the protein sources evaluated.
- NovaMeal had the lowest ruminal degradation of methionine. Intestinal digestibility of methionine did not differ by source, suggesting greater intestinal absorption of methionine from NovaMeal.
- Lysine content both after rumen incubation and intestinal digestibility of lysine were greatest for soybean sources vs. corn sources. However, the amount of lysine absorbed intestinally did not differ between NovaMeal and soybean meal.
- These results suggest that methionine and lysine availability can be comparable between soybean and corn sources, and one must look further than amino acid composition of the feedstuff when evaluating feeds for a diet.
RESOURCES
Request Feed Libraries
View the NovaMeal
Average Analysis
Third-Party Results from Cumberland Valley Analytical Services (CVAS)
Detailed lab results are available to our customers and their nutritionists. Just ask - click to email us now!
Milk Fat Yield Declines with Increased Levels of Linoleic Fatty Acid
Based on finding from a recent research study from the Dairy Knowledge Center (DKC), for every 100 grams of unsaturated fat called linoleic fatty acid fed there is a .18% loss of milk fat yield.
Ration Formulation Has Come a Long Way
Nutritionists have many things to consider when formulating a ration. Read about a formulation approach that offers the producer the best opportunity to convert feed dollars to milk income at the highest rate.
Moving Beyond Crude Protein
Nutritionists are moving beyond evaluating feed sources by crude protein or the quantity of protein. Protein is being evaluated based upon the quality of the protein. The amount and quality of protein available varies by feed source.
Burning Questions to Save Money on Feed Costs
Low milk prices can have a real impact on dairy farmers. When this occurs, cash becomes short and farmers have to make some tough decisions. They start to look for ways to reduce expenses while also maintaining milk production. Typically, the biggest expense for a dairy farm is feed costs – both purchased and farm-produced.PH: 605.610.0976
2301 Research Park Way, Suite 226
Brookings, SD 57006
Brookings, SD 57006