The Role of Specific Fatty Acids on Dairy Cattle Performance and Fertility

Cattle are fed moderate amounts of fatty acids (FA) with the objective to enhance growth, lactation, health and reproduction. Most lipids fed to cattle are in the form of triacylglycerols in plant and animal products or as free FA or FA saponified to Ca in processed fat supplements. One of the premises of feeding fat to cattle is the inherited more dense caloric content than other dietary ingredients, which typically increases the caloric content of the diet in an attempt to meet increased energy needs of more productive animals. However, feeding fat can influence appetite and, when depressed, it can offset any benefit to caloric intake.