Researchers tested whether adding special ingredients to fatty acid supplements could help dairy cows digest fats better and produce more milk. They tested five different versions of fat supplements on 15 cows over several weeks. While some versions changed how well cows absorbed certain fats, none of them actually increased milk production or milk fat content. The study suggests that even though these special ingredients modify how fats are processed in the cow’s body, they don’t necessarily lead to more milk—meaning farmers might not see practical benefits from using these additives.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding special ingredients (like magnesium salts or emulsifiers) to fatty acid supplements helps dairy cows digest fats better and produce more milk.
  • Who participated: 15 adult female Holstein dairy cows that had given birth before. Each cow received all five different fat supplement versions over the course of the study.
  • Key finding: Some special ingredients changed how well cows absorbed certain types of fats, but none of the supplements increased milk production, milk fat content, or the amount of milk produced.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a dairy farmer, adding these special ingredients to fat supplements may not improve your milk production or profits, even though they do change how the cow’s body processes fats. More research is needed to find additives that actually increase milk output.

The Research Details

Scientists used a study design called a Latin square, which is like a puzzle where each cow gets to try each treatment in a different order. This helps researchers compare treatments fairly because each cow serves as its own comparison. Fifteen dairy cows were fed the same basic diet, but received different versions of fatty acid supplements over 14-day periods. The researchers tested five versions: a regular fat supplement and four versions with different special ingredients added (magnesium salts, lysophospholipids, monoglycerides, and polysorbate). They measured how much the cows ate, how much milk they produced, what was in the milk, and how well the cows digested the fats.

This study design is strong because each cow acts as its own control, reducing the impact of differences between individual cows. By testing all treatments on the same animals, researchers can more clearly see whether the special ingredients actually make a difference. The 14-day periods allow enough time for the cows’ bodies to adjust to each treatment and show real effects.

This is a well-designed controlled experiment published in a respected dairy science journal. The Latin square design is considered reliable for animal studies. However, the study only included 15 cows, which is a relatively small number, so results might not apply to all dairy farms. The researchers were careful to keep everything else the same except for the fat supplement type, which strengthens their conclusions.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that none of the special ingredients increased milk production, milk fat content, or milk protein content. All cows produced similar amounts of milk regardless of which fat supplement they received. This was somewhat surprising because the researchers expected that better fat digestion might lead to more milk production. The study shows that changing how fats are absorbed in the cow’s digestive system doesn’t automatically translate to more milk in the pail.

Some interesting changes did happen with specific types of fats. When lysophospholipids were added, the milk contained more preformed fats (fats that come directly from the diet), especially a type called oleic acid. When polysorbate was added, the cows digested 16-carbon fats better compared to the magnesium salt version. However, these changes in fat digestion and milk composition didn’t result in more total milk or more milk fat being produced. Two of the additives (monoglyceride and polysorbate) reduced the digestion of fiber in the diet, which could be a concern for overall cow health.

Previous research suggested that improving fat digestion in dairy cows would increase milk production and milk fat yield. This study challenges that assumption by showing that modifying fat absorption doesn’t automatically improve milk output. The findings suggest that the relationship between fat digestion and milk production is more complex than previously thought. Future research may need to explore different types of additives or different ways to protect fats in the cow’s digestive system.

The study only included 15 cows, which is a small number for drawing broad conclusions about all dairy farms. The study lasted only 14 days per treatment, which might not be long enough to see all possible effects. The researchers only tested one dose level (2% of the diet) of these supplements, so different amounts might produce different results. The study focused on how much fats were digested but didn’t measure other important factors like how the cow’s body used the energy from these fats.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, dairy farmers should not expect increased milk production from adding these specific emulsifiers or magnesium salts to fatty acid supplements. The evidence suggests these additives may not provide practical benefits for milk yield. However, farmers should wait for additional research before making final decisions, as this is just one study with a small number of cows. If cost is a concern, the regular fat supplement without special additives appears to work just as well.

This research is most relevant to dairy farmers and veterinarians who manage lactating dairy cows. Feed manufacturers considering these additives should also pay attention. This study does not apply to beef cattle, other livestock, or humans. Farmers with specific concerns about their cows’ nutrition should consult with a veterinarian or dairy nutritionist before making changes.

The study measured effects over 14-day periods, which is relatively short. If a farmer were to try these supplements, they should expect to see any benefits (or lack thereof) within a few weeks. However, longer-term studies might reveal effects that don’t show up in just two weeks.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily milk production (in pounds or liters) and milk fat percentage weekly if using fatty acid supplements. Compare these numbers before and after any changes to supplement type to see if production actually increases.
  • If using the app to manage dairy operations, log which fat supplement version you’re using and record milk yield and composition data consistently. This helps you identify whether expensive additives are actually improving your bottom line.
  • Maintain a 4-week baseline of milk production and composition with your current supplement, then switch to a new supplement and track the same metrics for 4 weeks. Compare the two periods to see if there’s a real difference. Track feed costs alongside production to calculate whether any changes are economically worthwhile.

This research applies specifically to lactating dairy cows and should not be applied to other animals or humans. The study involved only 15 cows over short periods, so results may not apply to all dairy operations or conditions. Farmers considering changes to their feeding program should consult with a veterinarian or dairy nutritionist before making decisions. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural advice. Always follow label directions and consult with feed manufacturers about proper use of supplements.