A survey of United States dairy cattle nutritionists’ practices and perceptions of reducing crude protein in lactating dairy cow diets

The objective was to assess if US dairy nutritionists’ approaches toward balancing CP in lactating cow diets are influenced by demographic information, feelings environmental nitrogen (N) excretion, and dietary cost. An electronic survey sent 886 certified nutritionists through the database of American Registry Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) via email. For data analysis, a nonparametric statistic used check whether responses each question were independent. Relationships among other questions performed using Spearman’s correlation. Poisson regression least squares means identify statistically meaningful differences between response counts within respective question. A total 77 representing 1,065 herds from 28 states with 521,000 cows responded questionnaire. Eighty-nine percent balanced based on one or more individual AA requirements cows. Most respondents (72%) reported that they currently formulating lower than 3 5 yr ago. primary concern cost per unit MP, likely due high fluctuating high-RUP feedstuffs. Currently, impetus reduce is primarily financially, rather environmentally, driven. Nutrition models accurately predict will allow develop even presently possible. Monitoring income over feed low-CP supplemented critical support sustainability industry.