Research leads to new feed additive for dairy cows

Basic and applied research by several scientists has led to the development of a new feed ingredient for cows in transition.

Ener GIª (Energy One) Transition Formula contains two specific fatty acids shown to help cows during the critical time period of three weeks before calving to three weeks after calving. The two nutrients are monoenoic trans and linoleic fatty acids.
On Feb. 1, the new product was released by Virtus Nutrition, a global leader in rumen protected dairy feed ingredients and information.

Virtus Nutrition, headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio, has a great deal of research backing Ener GI, which is designed to reduce the metabolic diseases of cows in transition.
According to Scott Sorrell, Virtus Nutrition director of marketing, many scientists contributed to the development of this product.

Beverly Teter, a scientist with the University of Maryland Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, completed work on the relationship of fatty acids and metabolic diseases in rats. She obtained a patent on the role of one of the two fatty acids used in Ener GI.
The fatty acid she studied - monoenoic transfat - lowers the milk fat cows produce in transition, thus lowering the amount of energy cows need to produce milk after freshening. 

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