What is CNCPS? A Simple Explanation of the Cornell System
CNCPS (Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System) is a ration formulation model developed at Cornell University in the USA. It accurately predicts animal performance, feed efficiency, sustainability, and economic outcomes based on animal, environmental, and feed parameters. It is a model that examines not only the chemical but also the dynamic properties of feedstuffs. Based on the established Weende Analysis and Van Soest Detergent System, it is further enhanced by a detailed examination of digestive processes in the rumen.
In feed analysis and ration formulation, the nutrient requirements and nutritional status of the animals are taken into account: feed intake, ruminal fermentation of proteins and carbohydrates, digestive and absorptive processes in the intestine, nutrient requirements and excretions, as well as housing conditions, animal performance, and environmental influences.
"The behavior of nutrients within the animal can be described by two parameters: digestibility, meaning the degradability of nutrients in the rumen, and the passage rate.
To make accurate statements about the digestibility of specific nutrients, the CNCPS model more precisely defines the fractions of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
It divides these nutrient fractions based on their solubility and availability in the rumen or small intestine. Special attention is given to the digestibility of fiber and starch.
Feed analysis according to CNCPS clearly shows which nutrients in the forage are truly available and usable for the animal."
Analyzing feedstuffs using CNCPS - an overview of the advantages
The data obtained from the CNCPS feed analysis is entered into specialized CNCPS ration formulation programs. Using these programs, the Sano nutrition experts design the best possible feed rations.
- Providing the cow with the ideal amino acid profile according to its needs allows for a reduction in crude protein. The CNCPS model shows the available amount of amino acids in the calculated ration for the animal. This way, you can save on protein-rich feedstuffs and optimize your GMO-free ration.
- In CNCPS, a fatty acid submodel is embedded, which enables an optimal fatty acid profile for the targeted optimization of animal health, fertility, and milk components.
- Environmental regulations for agriculture are constantly becoming stricter. As a result, minimizing nutrient losses is becoming more and more of a focus. With CNCPS, it is possible to use nutrients efficiently, significantly reducing nutrient runoff into the environment.
- Only cost-efficient operations can generate profits in the long term. The CNCPS model takes into account the maximum revenue from milk production after feed costs, the IOFC (Income Over Feed Cost).
- The CNCPS model enables the early management of metabolic disorders. The program links metabolic relationships with herd-specific data, such as body condition, inter-calving period, or age at first calving, thereby specifically addressing the herd's health.
- If the calculated DM intake does not align with the actual intake, it becomes difficult to achieve the previously set performance targets. CNCPS determines extensive data regarding animal and feeding, ensuring that the calculated DM intake closely matches the optimal result.
- Through in-depth analysis of feedstuffs and the inclusion of group-specific animal data, precision feeding is made possible with CNCPS, tailored to the life stage and performance phase.
The CNCPS feed analysis and the corresponding CNCPS program help to maximize the potential of each operation and make animal nutrition more precise. With knowledge of the digestibilities of fiber, protein, fat, and starch, it is possible to formulate rations that are closer to the animal's actual needs, regularly check them, and adjust them based on current conditions and the cow’s feedback — both ruminant-friendly and economical.
Nutrients in CNCPS
- Carbohydrates and Fiber in CNCPS
- Fats / Fatty Acids in CNCPS
- Protein / Amino Acids in CNCPS
- Starch in CNCPS
Carbohydrates and Fiber in CNCPS
CNCPS divides carbohydrates into fractions A, B, and C based on their rate of degradation:
- The A fraction contains easily available and digestible carbohydrates, such as sugars.
- Hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin together make up about one-third of the presented feed ration.
- As slowly digestible structural components, hemicellulose and cellulose are part of the B fraction.
- Lignin is also indigestible for ruminants and forms the C fraction.
In addition to the absolute content of NDF in a feedstuff, it is important to assess how well and quickly the cow can utilize the fiber components. This is examined through the analysis of NDF digestibility. The analysis measures NDF digestibility at 12, 30, 120, and 240 hours. This allows the fiber fraction to be divided into fast, slow, and indigestible fractions. Ultimately, the amount of highly digestible fiber in the feed has a significant impact on the composition of the feed ration.
With increasing storage time of grass and corn silages, the digestibility of the NDF increases. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze your forage at regular intervals.
Fats / Fatty Acids in CNCPS
Fats are usually considered only as a pure source of energy. However, certain fatty acids that make up fats also have significant effects on milk fat synthesis, milk production, animal health, and fertility.
The absolute fat content and the composition of individual fatty acids vary across different feedstuffs, especially in grass silages. For example, the first-cut grass often contains a higher proportion of fatty acids than subsequent cuts. Of particular importance here is the RUFAL value, which includes the amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the feed and their potential effect in the rumen and milk fat synthesis. An elevated RUFAL in a ration can trigger a milk fat depression.
The fatty acid submodel embedded in CNCPS allows for the formulation of the fat composition of the ration, tailored to performance and promoting health, based on the fatty acid composition of the feedstuffs.
Protein / Amino Acids in CNCPS
CNCPS not only distinguishes between rumen-degradable and rumen-undegradable protein, but also divides protein into five fractions (A1, A2, B1, B2, and C) based on its chemical structure and degradability in the digestive tract. This allows for the prediction of which amounts of protein are available at which times in the rumen or intestine.
CNCPS analyzes not only the absolute crude protein content, but also its availability in the digestive tract and the amino acid composition. This allows for more targeted use of protein-rich feedstuffs, enhances nitrogen efficiency, and minimizes excretions through feces and urine. Furthermore, rumen-protected amino acids can be specifically included to effectively utilize their positive effects on animal health and performance.
Starch in CNCPS
It is important to know how much starch is metabolized in the rumen over a specific period and how the undegradable starch is utilized in the small intestine. The CNCPS ration formulation program includes a rumen model. It accurately represents the metabolic processes in the cow, thus predicting the digestion of the ingested starch in the digestive tract.
The CNCPS analysis provides the digestibility of starch in the rumen over a defined period and determines its passage through the animal, as well as starch losses in the feces. This means the farmer knows in advance how the ingested starch will be utilized in the cow. As a result, the cow can be fed precisely according to its needs. Excesses and metabolic risks decrease, and nutrient losses through feces are reduced.
Evaluations from the Sano CNCPS laboratory show that the digestibility of starch in silage increases over time. To ensure healthy and rumen-synchronous feed rations throughout the feeding year, corn silage must be sampled at regular intervals, and the feed ration should be adjusted accordingly. This allows the farmer to efficiently use energy-rich feedstuffs for the health and performance of the animals.
The Components of the Sano Laboratory Report at a Glance
A laboratory report contains many different abbreviations and values. This provides farmers and consultants with a valuable tool for ration optimization and performance prediction. Here, you will find the most important innovative metrics and units from the Sano laboratory report explained simply, so you can directly understand what’s in your feedstuffs.
- Crude Protein (XP): Represents the protein content based on the total nitrogen content of the sample. It includes not only the true protein but also the non-protein nitrogen.
- Ammonium XP Equivalents: Indicates the proportion of ammonia in the crude protein. Excessive values may indicate protein breakdown in the silo, for example, due to Clostridia.
- ADF: Acid Detergent Fiber. Fiber components that are insoluble in an acid detergent solution, primarily lignin.
- aNDF: Neutral Detergent Fiber. Fiber components that are insoluble in a neutral detergent solution. This includes hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin.
- NDF Digestibility: The proportion of the NDF fiber components that can be digested by the cow within the specified time.
- uNDF: The proportion of NDF fiber components that cannot be digested by the cow within the specified time. It forms the counterpart to NDF digestibility.
- Sugar (Ethanol and water-soluble): The proportion of sugar that dissolves in water or in an 80% ethanol solution.
- Starch: The starch content of the sample.
- Starch Digestibility: The rate of starch breakdown in the animal.
During the corn silage storage, the digestibility of the starch in the corn changes. This has an impact on the choice of additional feedstuffs. With the help of the CNCPS feed analysis, you can target the use of feedstuffs effectively.
- Volatile Fatty Acids: Formed by carbohydrate degradation during the silage process. Used for evaluating the quality of the silage process.
- Lactic Acid: Formed by carbohydrate degradation during the silage process.
- Acetic Acid: High levels are caused by long field storage times, long filling duration, and too slow acidification.
- Butyric Acid: Formed by excessively wet, contaminated silage material, low sugar content, and/or insufficient levels of lactic acid bacteria. Produced by Clostridia.
- 1,2 Propanediol: Propylene glycol. Produced by heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria.
- Amino Acids - Absolute: Absolute content of essential, semi-essential, and non-essential amino acids in the sample.
- NH3: Ammonia content of the sample.
- Amino Acids - Ideal Digestibility: The proportion of each essential, semi-essential, and non-essential amino acid that is digestible in the small intestine (ileum). Species-specific for pigs and poultry.
- NIRS Analysis Results: Content of crude nutrients in the sample.
- Phosphate (P2O5): Total phosphate content in the sample. Usable for nutrient flow balance.
- Nitrogen (N): Total nitrogen content in the sample. Usable for nutrient flow balance.
- Energy Evaluation: Energy evaluation of the sample specific to sows, fattening pigs, poultry, and ruminants.