Estimation of the balance of metabolizable lysine and methionine for dairy cows

Abstract

Objective.The aim of this study was to determine in grazing cows,the reproducibility and accuracy of the balance between predicted values,when compared with theobserved valuesfor the most limiting amino acids in milk protein synthesis, the methionine (Met)andLysine (Lys).Materials and methods.Twelve lactatingcows were used for a 20-día experimental period. Control: animals grazing and supplemented with balanced food; Met-Lys: same as control and supplemented with adjusted rumen protected Met and Lys.For Met and Lys supply predicted values, it was taking in account the average of the dry matter intake (DMI) of the herd, based in offer and foraging control and values of microbial protein data. Observed values were determined based in the individual DMI intake, using external and internal markers and the individual microbial protein production. A t-paired-sample test was performed and the efficiency of the model’s prediction was determined using the mean square prediction error (MSPE) and the concordance coefficient (CCC). Results. Significant differences were found between the predicted and observed values for DMI forage, digestible microbial protein and microbial protein production, supply and the balance of Lys and Met. The CCC for Lys and Met balance were low (0.10), the MSPE was high except for the total DMI with a moderate concordance (0.63) and low MSPE (4.42). Conclusions. These results indicate a lack of precision of the tools, which underestimates the supply and balance of amino acids in individual grazing cows.