The Role of Fat Supplements for Dairy Cows

Dietary fats have been subject to intense dairy cattle research over the last 30 years, leading to increasing evidence that demonstrates that fatty acids can have both positive and negative effects on production and animal welfare. This DAIRY insight on ‘The Role of Fat Supplements for Dairy Cattle’ explores these issues. For example, some positives show that fatty acids can improved yields, BCS and fertility. But farmers need to aware that adding a 39MJ/ME/Kg DM flat supplement might look good on the computer screen but often disappoints. One reason is that not all that energy is available to the cow as saturated fat are less digestible than unsaturated fat. This insight also discusses the make up or fats, the digestion of fats and the relationship between fat and milk production.

Issued August 2020

About Kingshay insight publications

insight publications replace the Farming Notes which have been produced by Kingshay since 1991, publishing on issues critical to the success of a modern dairy farm business. These briefings which now include dairy insight, business insight and research insight, provide dairy farmers, large animal vets, farm consultants and other interested parties with the most important and timely information in a concise two-page format. The information contained in our insight publications is written and updated by our experts to ensure accuracy and save you time.

A selection of insight publications and Farming Notes are available to buy individually from our online shop. To gain access to all our publications become a Kingshay member.