The Skinny on Fat Supplements in Dairy Rations: Options, Challenges, and Opportunities

摘要

An extensive metabolism of dietary unsaturated fatty acids in the rumen results in the lipid material leaving the rumen consisting primarily of free fatty acids that are highly saturated. Fat is typically the most variable component in milk, and is affected by many physiological and environmental factors.Fat supplements are commonly fed to increase dietary energy density and support milk production.Not all fatty acids are the same: know what fatty acids are in the supplement and what form they are in; interactions with other dietary components are key in determining response. Always consider potential effects of fat supplements on DMI, milk production, and milk composition.Further work is required to characterize the sources of variation in response to fat supplementation.