Rumen-protected fats

Adding fats in rumen-protected form avoids the negative effects on rumen bacteria, fibre digestibility and rumen function associated with unprotected sources of fat (Figure 1). Rumen-protected fats pass through the rumen intact but the fat should be released for digestion when it reaches the small intestine. Many different rumen-protected fat supplements are available commercially and it is important to consider which supplement best fits the requirements of a particular farm (see section ‘Rumen-protected fat supplements’).

Figure 1      Rumen-protected fats pass through the rumen without negative effects on rumen bacteria or fibre digestion