Two studies were conducted to investigate amino acid requirements in sheep. The first study found that supplementation of rumen-protected methionine to high and low crude protein diets (14.8% and 16.6%) in Lacaune dairy ewes during early lactation did not alter intakes, milk yield or milk protein. Increasing crude protein also did not improve performance, but an excess metabolizable protein supply could explain why there was no milk protein response in methionine balanced diets.
The second study found that methionine supplementation at 2.5% and 2.7% of metabolizable methionine/PDI to dairy ewes increased milk protein content compared to control with 1.8%. Supplementing at 2.5% increased milk protein content the most, suggesting that the dietary metabolizable methionine recommendation of 2.5% in dairy cows may be extended to dairy ewes.
Based on two 2021 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) abstracts:
P483 Metabolizable methionine balanced diets improved Lacaune dairy ewe performance.
491 Effects of the level of dietary protein and methionine supplementation in dairy ewes in early lactation.
Features Dr. Sergio Calsamiglia, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Brian Sloan, Global Director of Ruminant Amino Acids and Protected Nutrient Business, Adisseo. Dr. Dan Luchini, Head of Ruminant R&D, Adisseo.
To view abstracts, go to:
https://www.adisseo.com/en/products/smartline/smart-science-series-ruminant-podcasts/
