To make systematic rather than empirical improvements in increasing the efficiency, we need to adequately define the requirements of the high yielding dairy cow and to match them with a corresponding supply. Because the supply of protein to the dairy cow differs in the composition of its building blocks, the amino acids, and because the metabolic fates of amino acids are not fixed, it is therefore important to consider individual amino acids to better balance dairy rations, says Hélène Lapierre

Biotechnology has the potential to increase yields in agriculture, produce high-quality feed and save resources in the manufacturing of feed ingredients. Determining which process is the most sustainable can be done by the eco-efficiency analysis. Christoph Guenther and Peter Saling explain this analytical tool by comparing biotechnologically produced vitamin b2 with the chemically produced version of this vitamin.

Immunity, growth and reproduction are influenced by trace minerals, and their role in animal production is an area of strong interest for producers, feed manufactures, veterinarians and scientists. Connie Larson has reviewed the literature on what we need to know about trace minerals

Nutritional science rarely strays into the realms of physical chemistry. When we look at effective mineral supply, however, a good knowledge of the physical interaction between transition metals and their ligands can help us to design the perfect supply for fine-tuning animal productions and health.

As the BSE hysteria calms, some of the quieter voices are still audible. These are offering alternative explanations for the cause of the epidemic. Though research is still in its infancy, Czech scientist Dr Josef Hlásny firmly believes that scrapie-infected MBM was not the sole culprit.

A year ago, Bravo et al. reported in Feed Mix a new technique available to ruminant nutritionists to better predict phosphorus partitioning in the ruminant. Dr. Bravo and Dr Bogaert return this year to explain a new concept from INZO° (formerly UCAAB): PEP’S, which combines P. Rumen and P. Dig concepts with the view to produce a more comprehensive guide to the ruminant’s phosphorus requirement.