Protein requirements of the cow for lactation

Abstract

Prices of protein-rich foods increased dramatically in the summer of 1973. This caused considerable concern amongst BSAP members and a meeting of 36 scientists involved in studies of protein or allied aspects of nutrition was convened by the BSAP and held at the NIRD. The objective was to provide a statement of present knowledge on the protein requirements of the dairy cow. The Chairman of the day-long meeting was Dr C. C. Balch. A vigorous and wide-spanning discussion took place and while a definitive statement of quantitative requirements for protein was not produced, in compensation for this the state of the present knowledge on protein was revealed, so that it may be hoped that further studies will be prompted by these findings. This paper and the following one present respectively the minutes and an interpretation of the discussion.