Effect of Rumen-Protected Niacin (NIASHURE™) Supplementation During Summer on Milk Production

Posted: April 16, 2018

Background

The objective for this trial was to determine the effect of supplementation of rumen-protected niacin (NiaShure) at 6 g/d on milk yield and composition in cows producing greater than 45 kg of milk. 

What

The trial was conducted on a commercial dairy in central NY. Two groups of early lactation cows (n = 185/group) were balanced for milk yield, DIM, and parity and assigned to either a control or rumen-protected niacin (RPN) diet (6 g/d, NiaShure). Diets were fed June through September.

Parameters Monitored

Milk yield and composition were measured monthly by DHIA.

Key Results

1) Milk yield was not different between treatments, 48.6 kg/d and 48.3 kg/d.

2) Milk true protein % was increased 4.8% by supplementation of NiaShure (p < 0.02).

3) Milk true protein % was 2.59% and 2.72% for control and NiaShure diets.

4) Milk fat percent was not different for control and NiaShure diets (3.27% and 3.34%).

5) There was a trend for a reduction in milk fat to protein ratio (p < 0.09) on the NiaShure diet compared to the control diet (1.23 versus 1.27).

Implications

Supplementation of NiaShure during the summer increased the value of milk by increasing milk protein by 0.13 units.

Abstract

Effect of rumen-protected niacin (NiaShure) supplementation during summer on milk production and composition in lactating dairy cows.

S. Emanuele, D. Schoenbaum; Balchem, New Hampton, NY; Akey, Lewisburg, OH.

Previous studies feeding 12 g/d of rumen-protected niacin (NiaShure) reported that supplementation of niacin to lactating cows during periods of heat stress increased milk fat, milk protein percent and energy corrected milk. The objective for this trial was to determine the effect of supplementation of rumen-protected niacin (NiaShure) at 6 g/d on milk yield and composition in cows producing greater than 45 kg of milk. The trial was conducted on a commercial dairy in central NY. Two groups of early lactation cows (n = 185/group) were balanced for milk yield, DIM, and parity and assigned to either a control or rumen-protected niacin (RPN) diet (6 g/d, NiaShure). Diets were identical except for the addition of RPN. The diets contained whole cottonseed and tallow and dietary fat concentration was 5.8%. Diets were fed June through September. Milk yield and composition was measured monthly by DHIA. Milk yield and composition was analyzed using the mixed model procedure of SAS. Pen was the experimental unit used for statistical analysis. Fixed effects were treatment, month and treatment X month. Milk yield was not different between treatments, 48.6 kg/d and 48.3 kg/d. Milk true protein percent was increased 4.8% by supplementation of NiaShure (p < 0.02). Milk true protein percent was 2.59% and 2.72% for control and NiaShure diets. Milk fat percent was not different for control and NiaShure diets (3.27% and 3.34%). There was a trend for a reduction in milk fat to protein ratio (p < 0.09) on the NiaShure diet compared to the control diet (1.23 versus 1.27). Supplementation of NiaShure during the summer increased the value of milk by increasing milk protein by 0.13 units.

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