Excess protein is more harmful for ruminants

Protein is essential, but when overfed, it quickly becomes a burden. 

In livestock nutrition, it is well known that excess crude protein (CP) leads to increased nitrogen excretion. What is less widely understood is that ruminants bear more of a physiological cost than monogastric animals. When protein intake exceeds requirements, the liver, kidneys, reproductive system and overall productivity of the animal suffer from excess nitrogen. This is especially true in ruminants such as cattle and sheep.