Category: Ruminant feed

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), urea was first used to supplement ruminant feeds in the early 20th century. The compound is the most common example of a non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source, a category of substances that can be converted into true protein by microbes in the rumen. This makes urea a cost-effective and crucial component in the diets of cattle, sheep, and other ruminant animals, particularly when natural protein sources are scarce or expensive.

Approximately 60-70% of a ruminant's dietary protein is typically broken down by microbes in the rumen, often leading to wasted nitrogen. Bypass protein, however, is a specially treated feed protein that resists this microbial degradation and passes intact to the lower digestive tract, where it is more efficiently utilized by the animal. This strategic nutritional approach is especially beneficial for high-producing livestock such as dairy cows and rapidly growing calves.