New GfE Recommendations for Dairy Cow Feeding

In September 2023, the Society of Nutrition Physiology (GfE) published updated supply recommendations for energy and nutrient requirements for dairy cows, replacing the 2001 guidelines. These recommendations address the modern challenges of higher milk yields and a more diverse feed basis, particularly reflecting production conditions in Central Europe.

Energy Evaluation
The new guidelines standardise the expression of energy requirements and feed values at the level of Metabolisable Energy (ME). A novel three-stage procedure has been developed to determine ME using a limited set of parameters—gross energy, crude protein, ash, and organic matter digestibility (OMD). This method replaces the previous regression-based calculations (formerly converting ME to Net Energy for Lactation, NEL) and, although it generally maintains similar ME values, it shifts the relationships among feedstuffs, impacting ration formulation.

Protein and Amino Acids
For protein supply, the updated system introduces the use of small intestinal digestible protein (sidP) and small intestinal digestible amino acids (sidAA), along with consideration of the microbial nitrogen balance (RMD) in the rumen. By basing sidP on the sum of digestible amino acids rather than on utilisable crude protein at the duodenum , the new approach avoids overestimation by excluding non-amino acid nitrogen. The system also integrates OMD as a critical factor for both energy and protein evaluations.

Implementation Roadmap
The recommendations come with a detailed implementation plan:

Feed Analysis: Laboratories will update procedures using methods.
Digital Tools: Feed Formulation Software will be revised
Update DLG Tables
Update Educational Materials
Redesign of feed optimization in the feed industry

Timeline
A phased implementation is targeted, with major adjustments, including the transition in feed evaluation, scheduled for October 1, 2025.

Conclusion
These modernised recommendations are designed to make dairy cow feeding practices more accurate and internationally competitive. By integrating new methodologies in energy and protein evaluation and considering the dynamic effects of feed intake, the revised standards aim to enhance animal performance, improve feed efficiency, and support sustainable agricultural practices.

Important (New) Nutrients:

Abbreviation	Details
ME	Metabolisable Energy
OMD	Organic Matter Digestibility
peNDF	Physically Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber
sidP	Small Intestinal Digestible Protein
sidAA	Small Intestinal Digestible Amino Acids
RMD	Microbial Nitrogen Balance in the Rumen
MCP	Microbial Crude Protein
UDP	Undegraded Feed Protein
FAN	Feed Intake Level
aNDFom	Ash-Corrected Neutral Detergent Fiber
TM	Dry Matter
HFT	Hydrolyzed Feed Protein
ELOS	Enzymlösliche Organische Substanz (Enzyme-Soluble Organic Matter
Bruttoenergie	Bruttoenergie (Gross Energy

The New Regulations for Dairy Cow Feeding in HYBRIMIN Futter X

The latest GfE recommendations are integrated into HYBRIMIN Futter X. Contact our support team for more information.