The two most expensive inputs that set cost in dairy and beef rations are energy (grains) and protein (soybean meal, canola meal). When we feed protein, we usually think we are feeding the animal itself. The biological reality is this: in a ruminant, we first feed the trillions of microorganisms living in the rumen.
Rumen bacteria use the nitrogen they take in to build their own body proteins, called microbial protein. Microbial protein has a high biological value in terms of amino acid profile, is well digested and is one of the most economical protein sources for a farm. But for bacteria to produce it, one rule applies: nitrogen and energy must be available at the same time (synchronised). Balchem®'s patented slow-release nitrogen technology NitroShure™ aims to remove the mismatch created by conventional urea and protein sources.
What Is Nitrogen-Energy Synchronisation? Why Does Conventional Urea Fall Short?
Rumen bacteria gain energy (ATP) as they break down fibre and starch. To multiply and make microbial protein with that energy, ready ammonia (NH3) must be present. If there is energy but no nitrogen, bacteria cannot grow. If there is nitrogen but no energy, the released ammonia is wasted.
Conventional feed urea (46% nitrogen, about 287% crude protein equivalent) is broken down by the urease enzyme within a short time, about 30-45 minutes, after entering the rumen, creating a sudden ammonia spike:
- Ammonia peak and waste: Bacteria can use only part of the ammonia released in this short time. The rest passes through the rumen wall into the blood.
- Liver burden and energy loss: To turn ammonia in the blood into urea and excrete it in urine, the liver spends energy that could have been used to make milk.
- Nitrogen hunger for the rest of the day: After the first-hour spike, ammonia in the rumen runs low. Bacteria digest fibre without nitrogen all day, and fibre digestion slows.
NitroShure™ Technology: Controlled Ammonia Release Over Hours
Balchem® aims to solve this problem with lipid micro-encapsulation technology. NitroShure™ wraps a high-purity urea core in a saturated fatty acid coating. Instead of a sudden spike in the rumen, ammonia is released in a controlled and balanced way for about 6-8 hours, driven by rumen temperature, pH and movement.
As a result, fibre-digesting bacteria reach fresh nitrogen at every hour of the day, supporting fibre digestion and microbial protein production.
Conventional Urea, Soybean Meal and NitroShure™ Compared
Conventional feed urea:
- Crude protein equivalent is about 287%.
- Releases suddenly in the rumen within 30-45 minutes.
- Carries a risk of ammonia toxicity if dosed wrongly.
- Takes up very little room in the ration but is not used efficiently.
Soybean meal (44% crude protein):
- Rumen release time is about 3-5 hours.
- Takes up a large amount of room in the ration, 1-1.5 kg.
- Is generally import-dependent and an expensive protein source.
Balchem® NitroShure™:
- Crude protein equivalent is about 250% (controlled release).
- Releases over 6-8 hours in the rumen.
- Takes up only about 100-150 grams in the ration.
- Can free up about 1.2 kg of extra room for forage.
- Aims for 15-25% savings in protein cost compared with soybean meal.
Making Room in the Ration: Replacing Soybean Meal
One of NitroShure™'s most important advantages is the room it makes in the ration (diet flexibility). When 100-120 grams of NitroShure™ is used in a dairy cow ration, about 1.0-1.2 kg of soybean meal can be removed. Quality alfalfa, corn silage or an energy source can be added to the space freed up. In this way, protein cost falls while the fibre share of the ration can be raised and acidosis risk is reduced.
MCB Vital field results: In field studies on integrated dairy farms in the Konya and Marmara regions, when soybean meal was reduced and 100 grams per day of NitroShure™ was added to the ration, a fall in ration cost and a rise in milk yield of about 1.1 kg per day were recorded. Results vary with ration structure and prices; for a farm-specific cost analysis, you can consult our nutritionists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NitroShure also used in beef cattle?
Yes. In concentrate-heavy beef rations, it is aimed at supporting fibre digestion and feed efficiency. In MCB Vital field data, an 8-12% improvement in average daily gain has been reported.
Does NitroShure affect the taste or smell of milk?
No. Because the coating is lipid-based, it creates no odour or taste. Since ammonia does not pass uncontrolled into the blood, it helps keep milk urea nitrogen (MUN) within the physiological range (about 10-14 mg/dL).
Do the knives of the mixer wagon damage the coating?
Balchem®'s encapsulation has a durable matrix structure. It is designed not to crumble or peel in standard mixers and mixer wagons.
Why is NitroShure better than using plain urea?
Plain urea breaks down in the rumen within a short time and creates an ammonia spike. NitroShure spreads the nitrogen over hours, aiming for more efficient microbial protein production.
