Calf Note #240 – Amino acids for young calves, Part 3. Amino acids in calf starters

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Introduction

This is part 3 of my series on amino acid nutrition for young calves.  I’ve summarized the essential amino acid  (EAA) concentrations of feed ingredients commonly used in calf starters.  These EAA form the basis for the ruminally undegraded protein (RUP) fraction that reaches the intestine after rumen function becomes mature.  Early in life when there is a limited amount of ruminal fermentation, proteins in starter ingredients will not be extensively fermented, so the EAA composition of these ingredients makes up a greater proportion of the EAA reaching the abomasum compared to EAA from microbial protein. 

EAA Variation within Ingredients

Tables 1-6 contain EAA profile from six ingredients commonly used in calf starters and growers.  Within each ingredient, the variation among EAA is generally small as indicated by the standard deviation (SD) from the average (Avg).  In most cases, the greatest variation occurs among different authors – for example, the Histidine concentration in soybean meal is consistently 2.6% to 2.8% of total CP, except for means reported by Kudelka et al. (2021), who reported an average of 3.5% of CP in their samples.  This is most likely due to differences in laboratory methods used in preparation and analysis of samples.  Measuring amino acid composition in feed samples is a complex process and differences in methodology may affect the results reported by researchers.

EAA Variation among Ingredients

Figure 1 shows the variation among feed ingredients.  Here we see greater differences.  For example the concentration of lysine is sunflower meal and distillers grains are only about 50% of the concentration in soybean meal or canola meals.  Thus, a 1:1 replacement of the protein from soy to sunflower will result in a marked reduction in the amount of lysine coming from the RUP fraction.  Wheat midds are a common feed ingredient used in calf starers and the valine concentration in midds is very low; there are few studies that have evaluated the effects of low valine on calf performance, so the influence of high midds starter formulations is unclear. 

Summary

The EAA composition of calf starter ingredients, which relatively consistent within feed ingredient, can vary markedly among ingredients used in calf starters and growers.  Thus, changes in starter formulations will result in significant changes in EAA supply from the RUP fraction.   We’ll use these EAA concentrations in calculations of EAA supply to the intestine of calves in future Calf Notes. 

References

Alashi, A. M., C. L. Blanchard, R. J. Mailer, and S. O. Agboola. 2013. Technological and bioactive functionalities of canola meal proteins and hydrolysates. Food Reviews International. 29:231-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2013.790046.

Anonymous. 2018. Nutrient composition and variability of reduced-oil corn DDGS sources. https://grains.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Chapter-6.pdf  Accessed 4 Jan 2023.

Barbosa, F. F., M. D. Tokach, J. M. DeRouchey. 2008. Variation in chemical composition of soybean hulls. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0:10. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.7001.

Canolamazing. 2018. Canola meal nutrient composition. Accessed 03 Jan 2023. https://www.canolacouncil.org/canolamazing/feed-guide/nutrient-composition/

Chee, K. M., K. S. Chun, B. D. Huh, J. H. Choi, M. K. Chung, H. S. Lee, I. S. Shin, and K. Y. Whang. 2005. Comparative feeding values of soybean hulls and wheat bran for growing and finishing swine. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 8:861-867. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2005.861.

Cromwell, G. L. 2017. Soybean meal – An exceptional protein source. Engormix.com. Accessed 03 Jan 2023. https://en.engormix.com/feed-machinery/articles/soybean-meal-exceptional-protein-t40451.htm.

Feedipedia.org. Accessed 03 Jan 2023. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/732.

Jacela, J. Y., J. M. DeRouchey, M. D. Tokach, J. L. Nelssen, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, and R. C. Sulabo. 2007. Amino acid digestibility and energy content of two different soy hull sources for swine. Kansas State Swine Day, 2007. https://www.asi.k-state.edu/doc/swine-day-2007/p142aminoacidsoyhull.pdf. Accessed 4 Jan 2023.

Kudełka, W., M. Kowalska, and M. Popis. 2021. Quality of soybean products in terms of essential amino acids composition. Molecules. 26: 5071. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26165071.

Lim, C., and M. Yildirim-Aksoy. 2008. Distillers dried grains with solubles as an alternative protein source in fish feeds.  8th Intl. Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. 67-82. https://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/ISTA8/ChhornLim.pdf.

Liu, J. D., Q. Y. Li, Z. K. Zheng, P. Li,  X. Xu, H. L. Want, S. Zhang, and X. S. Piao. 2015. Determination and prediction of the amino acid digestibility of sunflower seed meals in growing pigs.  Asian-Austral. J. Anim. Sci. 28:86-94. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.14.0109.

Mjoun, K., K. F. Kalscheur, A. R. Hippen, and D. J. Schingoethe. 2010. Ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of protein and amino acids in soybean and corn distillers grains products. J. Dairy Sci. 93:4144–4154. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2883.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25806.

Newkirk, R. W., H. L. Classen, T. A. Scott, and M. J. Edney. 2003. The digestibility and content of amino acids in toasted and non-toasted canola meals. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 83: 131–139. https://doi.org/10.4141/A02-028.

Park,C. S., D. Ragland, and O. Adeola. 2021. Amino acid digestibility in corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles in pigs at different dietary levels of casein and test ingredient. Animal. 15:100147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100147.

Rosa, P. M., R. Antoniassi, S. C. Freitas, H. R. Bizzo., D. L. Zanotto, M. F. Oliveira, and V.B.R. Castiglioni. 2009. Chemical composition of Brazilian sunflower varieties.  Helia. 32:145-156. https://doi.org/10.2298/HEL0950145R.

Schingoethe, D. J., and M. Ahrar. 1979. Protein solubility, amino acid composition, and biological value of regular and heat-treated soybean and sunflower meals.  J. Dairy Sci.  62:925-931. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(79)83350-0.

Stein. 2008. Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in wheat middlings and red dog fed to pigs.  Univ. Illinois Research Report. https://nutrition.ansci.illinois.edu/node/1191. Accessed 4 Jan 2023.

Tomičić, Z. M., N. J. Spasevski, S. J. Popović, V.v V. Banjac, O. M. Đuragić, and R. M. Tomičić. 2020. By-products of the oil industry as sources of amino acids in feeds.  Food and Feed Research. 47:131-137. https://doi.org/10.5937/ffr47-28435.

US Soy Export Council. 2015. Feeding Studies Prove Economic Advantages of U.S. Soybean Meal.  https://ussec.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/US-Soybean-Meal-Information.pdf?__hstc=137602671.cab1731d533bec04e5a88f2a259524da.1672742291935.1672742291935.1672742291935.1&__hssc=137602671.1.1672742291936&__hsfp=2302993297.

Widyaratne, G. P., and R. T. Zijlstra. 2006. Nutritional value of wheat and corn distiller’s dried grain with solubles: Digestibility and digestible contents of energy, amino acids and phosphorus, nutrient excretion and growth performance of grower-finisher pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 87:103–114. https://doi.org/10.4141/A05-070.

Table 1. Essential amino acids in soybean meals from selected references.
Table 2. Essential amino acids in canola meals from selected references.
Table 3.  Essential amino acids in sunflower meals from selected references.
Table 5. Essential amino acids in wheat midds from Stein et al. (2008).
Table 6.  Essential amino acids in soybean hulls from selected references.
Figure 1. Essential amino acids in feed ingredients.

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