Many decades ago when I was in school we discussed what happened to protein after a cow ate it. The discussion centered on the quality of the protein. We defined quality of protein as having amino acid content that closely matched the amino acid make up of the animal’s body protein. One of the great advantages of cud-chewing animals is that they take a poor quality protein from straw, forbs and grasses and upgrade it to a higher quality of protein in the form of the bodies of bacteria and protozoa. On the other end of the spectrum, the ‘bugs’ also take a very high quality protein and reduce it to their own make-up. For high quality protein it would be beneficial if we could do something to the protein to allow it to escape digestion in the paunch. We now call this protected or by-pass protein.

This year a presentation was made that described encapsulation of specific nutrients. This technology is used to protect a nutrient from the microbes in the paunch that would digest it and use it for their own growth and reproduction. In some instances having the bugs in the paunch use a nutrient may not be best for our production goal.

A very popular area of nutrition involves the protection of different nutrients from the actions taking place in the rumen. Right now we have protected methionine and protected fat. As we learn more about the actual amino acid needs of cattle, there will be greater demand for ways to protect individual amino acids like lysine and others so that a known amount will pass into the small intestine for digestion and absorption.

One ‘protected’ nutrient that has received wide acceptance in the dairy industry is the B vitamin Choline. Managing to get this B vitamin through the paunch without being used by the bugs enhances its value to the cow many times. Years ago, Dr. Irv Dyer of WSU conducted research that indicated that the addition of supplemental Choline to high potato waste finishing rations improved performance and feed efficiency. At that time the encapsulation technology was not available to protect choline. Feeding choline in the feedlot has lost favor; however it might be interesting to see what happened if the choline was protected.

Another ingredient that has received a lot of protection attention is urea. Urea is a source of nitrogen that the bugs in the paunch incorporate into their own bodies’ protein. Feed manufacturers add urea to protein supplements because it is an effective source of nitrogen that will be converted to protein, and it’s cost is much lower than natural protein sources such as soybean meal, canola meal, peas, beans, and other proteins. The problem with urea is that sometimes it degrades so rapidly that it may be toxic when the animals eat more than is planned. The table below demonstrates why urea is so popular:

Why bother showing the nitrogen content of soybean meal, canola, and hay? Nitrogen content is used to determine the protein of your feed in a feed testing lab. Biuret and ammonium polyphosphate were shown because they are nitrogen sources used in protein supplements. You can determine if a source of non-protein-nitrogen was used in your product by simply looking at the label. This addition must be shown right beneath the guarantee for protein. It will look something like ‘Maximum amount of Protein from NPN. ( ) %. Let’s say you have purchased a protein supplement that guarantees 24% Protein. Beneath that is the statement ‘this includes no more than 12% protein equivalent from NPN sources. That product is NOT 12% urea or other NPN source. You need to go back to the ingredient list to arrive at that. Say that you find urea in the list of ingredients on the label. In a ton of feed there are (2000 lb times 12%) 240 lbs of protein equivalent. Two hundred forty pounds of protein equivalent requires 84.3 lb of urea in a ton (240 divided by 285% = 84.3 lb).

Some forms of protection of nutrients may be from moisture, heat, and exposure to air. A common one is the protection of Vitamin A. This vitamin in its pure form is very subject to degradation. Many years ago, scientists worked out a ‘beadlet’ that would surround and protect the vitamin from the forces of nature. Vitamins are also affected by the other nutrients in the mixture; especially if these ingredients are minerals.

There is a lot more technology in feed supplements than meets the eye. Whether it’s a mineral, protein, or specialized feed additive, the manufacturer has to do more than weigh out a bunch of ingredients and call it good. You will find ‘use by’ dating on many products. This may have to do with the shelf life of vitamins, or the potency of the feed additive. A simple statement on the label such as ‘make certain that adequate feed and clean water is available at all times’ takes on a new meaning during weather extremes. There have been instances when cattle drank liquid supplement because it was the only source of moisture during a freak winter storm. A supplement using salt as an intake limiter may work well until the cattle run out of feed in that pasture. No amount of salt or any other additive will prevent the cattle from eating that product rather than starve.

There are ways to protect minerals from rain or other moisture. This is known as ‘water-proofing’. This can be accomplished by the addition of a wax or other chemical compound. I’m too cheap to use waterproofing regularly. I’d rather use some form of covered mineral feeder and put out the mineral frequently, in case of a heavy storm. Some feed manufacturers have developed technology to pellet a mineral supplement.
This would be quite advantageous in the feedlot or dairy because it would save the cost of adding a carrier such as grain, millrun, or other feed ingredient that is used to dilute
the mix so that it will pellet without destroying the pellet die.

You might be amazed at the level of technology and skill present in the livestock feed manufacturing industry. This includes mixing equipment and ingredient stability, purity,
and uniformity. Packaging equipment and packages have also evolved. New bags are virtually impervious to rain. Now for a plug for professionalism by those that serve you in the feed industry. A certification is available for livestock nutritionists. The initial level is P.A.S. (professional animal scientist). Those that have been able to pass a national test in their respective field are awarded the credential known as Diplomate
of the American College of Animal Nutrition, this requires education and experience. I urge you to use these professionals as you would your vet, accountant, or lawyer.

Michael J. Mehren, Ph.D. is a livestock nutritionist getting primed for his Thanksgiving dinner of beef in Hermiston, OR. He may be contacted by Email at mehrens@eotnet.net.

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