MetaSmart® is a methionine source for dairy cows designed to help balance amino acid supply through transition and lactation.
It contains HMTBi, the isopropyl ester of the methionine hydroxy analogue. Around half is absorbed across the rumen wall and provides a source of metabolisable methionine to the cow, while the other half is available in the rumen as HMTBa.
This two-way action can support milk yield and components, transition performance, reproductive function and more efficient use of dietary nitrogen when MetaSmart® is used as part of a correctly balanced ration.
MetaSmart® is available in dry and liquid forms for use in pelleted, mineral and liquid feeds.
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Research into MetaSmart®, HMTBi and rumen-protected methionine has examined production, transition health, nitrogen use and reproductive outcomes in dairy cows.
Talk to your local Agvance Consultant
Methionine is an essential amino acid used for more than milk protein production.
Adequate methionine supply is involved in milk synthesis, liver metabolism, antioxidant pathways, immune function and reproduction. Demand can be particularly important around transition and early lactation, when cows are coping with large changes in feed intake and nutrient requirements.
Balancing the ration for absorbable amino acids also offers another option besides simply feeding more crude protein.
MetaSmart® is designed to work both in the rumen and beyond it.
Around 50% is absorbed across the rumen wall. It is then converted into a source of metabolisable methionine available to the cow.
The remaining 50% is available as HMTBa within the rumen, where it can be used in rumen fermentation.
This differs from relying solely on an amino acid source that must pass through the rumen before becoming available to the cow.
Methionine supply can affect how cows use dietary protein for milk production.
Controlled dairy trials involving HMTBi have reported increases in milk yield, energy-corrected milk, milk protein concentration and milk component yield, although responses vary with diet and stage of lactation.
In one direct MetaSmart® trial, HMTBi supplementation increased milk yield by 2.9 kg/day and milk true protein concentration by 0.15 percentage points. Fat, true protein and lactose yields also increased.
The transition period places heavy demands on feed intake, liver metabolism and immune function.
A study comparing unsupplemented cows with cows receiving MetaSmart® or Smartamine M from three weeks before calving through the first month of lactation found higher post-calving dry matter intake and improved production measures in the methionine-supplemented cows.
Blood neutrophil phagocytosis was also greater at day 21, supporting a role for adequate methionine supply in immune function around calving.
Meeting amino acid requirements does not necessarily mean feeding more total protein.
In a 70-cow study, HMTBi or rumen-protected methionine improved some milk component and production measures in a lower-crude-protein diet. Feeding a higher-protein diet without supplemental methionine increased urea nitrogen losses and reduced apparent nitrogen efficiency without improving milk yield.
This makes amino acid balancing a useful ration-formulation tool where the aim is to use dietary protein more efficiently.
Call 0800 BALANCE or contact your local Agvance Consultant to find out how MetaSmart® can fit into your herd’s feeding programme.
These studies provide direct evidence for MetaSmart® or HMTBi, the methionine source used in MetaSmart®. Responses depend on the complete ration, existing methionine supply, crude protein level and stage of lactation.
MetaSmart® and HMTBi supplementation in lactating and transition dairy cows, including effects on production, feed intake, immune function and nitrogen use.
Milk yield, energy-corrected milk, milk fat and protein, dry matter intake, nitrogen efficiency, nitrogen excretion and immune-cell function.
The three studies directly examined MetaSmart® or HMTBi in dairy cows, but outcomes varied with diet, crude protein level and stage of lactation. Results from controlled feeding systems may not translate directly to New Zealand pasture-based herds.
A. MetaSmart® is a source of metabolisable methionine for dairy cows. It contains HMTBi, the isopropyl ester of the methionine hydroxy analogue, and is designed to provide methionine activity both through the cow and within the rumen.
A. Around half of MetaSmart® is absorbed across the rumen wall and provides a source of metabolisable methionine to the cow. The remaining portion is available as HMTBa within the rumen.
A. Yes. Dairy studies involving MetaSmart® and HMTBi have reported increases in measures including milk yield, energy-corrected milk, milk protein concentration and milk component yield. The size of the response depends on the rest of the ration and the cow’s existing methionine supply.
A. MetaSmart® can be used where ration balancing identifies a need for more metabolisable methionine. This can be particularly relevant around transition and early lactation, when nutrient demand rises sharply.
A. Amino acid balancing can allow dietary protein to be used more efficiently. Research has shown that methionine supplementation can support production in lower-crude-protein diets while reducing nitrogen losses. Any reduction in crude protein should be made through proper ration formulation rather than simply removing protein from the diet.
Call 0800 BALANCE or contact your local Agvance Consultant to discuss MetaSmart® and how methionine balancing could fit your herd’s feeding programme.
