RDP

(Rumen) Degradable protein

The crude protein in a ration or a forage consists of: soluble protein, rumen degradable protein (RDP) and rumen undegradable protein. The degradable protein fraction potentially is fermented in  the rumen. The fraction can be calculated by subtracting the soluble protein and the bypass protein level from the total crude protein level.

Rumen microbes use the degradable protein for the production of microbial protein. The speed at which the degradable protein ferments varies from feed material. In addition, the actual amount of degradable protein depends on the ration composition and the feed intake.

A high level of degradable protein has a positive effect on milk production. However, if too much degradable protein is available in the rumen in the rumen in relation to the quantity of energy, the surplus of nitrogen is transformed into ammonia. Grass and alfalfa can contain a lot of protein and moreover a lot of protein that is rapidly degradable. The rate of degradation is decreased because of drying on the field and increased by the acids during the ensiling process.