Milk Production Response to Feeding Methionine Hydroxy Analog to Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

While feeding a hydroxy methionine analog as a preventative for bovine ketosis, data were collected which indicated the analog had a stimulatory effect on milk production. Forty-two dairy cows representing four herds were divided into three treatment groups: a control and groups receiving 40 and 80 g of analog per day. Although no cow of any group evidenced ketosis, results of feeding the hydroxy methionine analog indicated a significant (P < .01) stimulatory effect on milk production. Not all breeds responded in the same manner, as evidenced by a significant (P < .01) breed X treatment interaction.