Protein value of different seaweed species in dairy cows

The three seaweed species investigated had higher protein content in spring than in autumn. Both Porphyra and Acrosiphonia can supply the rumen with high amounts of rumen degradable protein but, due to both a high protein concentration and a low indigestible part, Porphyra can also supply a high amount of digestible protein to the small intestine. Pelvetia protein had a very low degradability in the rumen and the rumen escapable protein was not degradable in the small intestine, therefore, Pelvetia should not be used to feed dairy cows.