Until recently, only a limited number of trials evaluated the impact of feeding methionine as a functional amino acid to cows. This article shares findings from trials conducted in the past few years, to evaluate the impact of feeding methionine-enriched diets on factors other than milk production and composition. The trials were conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois between 2014 and 2017. They evaluated the impact of feeding rumen-protected methionine sources during the transition period.

Researchers concluded that the livers of cows fed diets enriched with rumen-protected methionine during the last three-to-four weeks pre-partum were better prepared to withstand the transition period. Feeding rumen-protected methionine sources led to faster recovery post-partum due to healthier liver function and decreased inflammation, resulting in higher dry matter intake for healthier cows with increased milk production and composition.

Read the full study overview and results in this pdf.

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