Direct-Fed Microbial Supplementation on the Performance of Dairy Cattle During the Transition Period

The influence of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) on the prepartum period and the effects on production performance during the postpartum period was investigated using 64 multiparous Holstein cows. Two close-up dry cow diets were fed to two groups of 32 cows each starting 21 d precalving as follows: 1)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dairy science 2003-01, Vol.86 (1), p.331-335
Main Authors: Nocek, J. E, Kautz, W. P, Leedle, J. A. Z, Block, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal productions
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Glucose - analysis
Cattle - metabolism
Cattle - physiology
Colony Count, Microbial
Eating
Enterococcus faecium - physiology
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified - blood
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insulin - blood
Lactation - physiology
Microbial ecology
Milk - chemistry
Milk - secretion
Milk Proteins - analysis
Normal microflora of man and animals. Rumen
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Probiotics - administration & dosage
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - physiology
Terrestrial animal productions
Vertebrates
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Summary:The influence of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) on the prepartum period and the effects on production performance during the postpartum period was investigated using 64 multiparous Holstein cows. Two close-up dry cow diets were fed to two groups of 32 cows each starting 21 d precalving as follows: 1) no DFM and 2) DFM. Post-calving cows were fed a lactation ration with or without DFM supplementation.The direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplement contained 2 × 109 viable yeast cells and 5 × 109 cfu of bacteria (Enterococcus faecium) per cow per day, top dressed in a 90-g supplement [corrected].The DMI during the prepartum period was not affected by DFM supplementation. During the postpartum period, DMI, milk yield, and milk protein content were higher for cows receiving DFM supplementation compared with no DFM. Blood glucose and insulin levels were higher and NEFA levels were lower for cows receiving DFM during the postpartum period. These data suggest that targeted DFM supplementation increased DMI and milk production postpartum. Blood metabolite information would suggest this response was associated with more glucose being made available and less fatty acids being mobilized from lipid stores.
ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73610-8