Lipid nutrition.
Cows in early lactation or producing more than 80 lb of milk per day need supplemental fat and can benefit from it. Fat should be added to the diet over a period of several weeks to allow the cows to become accustomed to it. Feed intake should be monitored because additional fat may decrease feed intake and offset the benefit of the fat. Supplemental fat should not exceed 4 to 5% of the dry matter intake. The first 2% of added fat should be supplied by oilseeds under most circumstances. The next 1 or 2% can come from commodity fat if availability and handling ability permits its use. If the last increment of fat is needed, it should be supplied by specialty fats that have been processed to improve ruminal inertness. Extra calcium, magnesium, and ruminally undegraded protein should be added to the diet when fat is added. Fat is a more expensive source of energy than feed grains in most of the world and should not be used beyond needs.
Emery
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Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing.
Herdt
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TH
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism*; D004063:Digestion; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D012417:Rumen / Q000502:physiology
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids