Dairy farming continually advances with innovative strategies aimed at improving the health and productivity of dairy cows. One such strategy involves feeding rumen-derived microbials during the transition period, particularly to enhance the quality and quantity of colostrum in Holstein dairy cows. A recent study conducted at California State University, Fresno, by Logan Cecelia-Rose Real and Dr. Kyle Thompson explores the impact of native rumen microbes on this crucial aspect.
The study focused on administering a blend of native rumen microbes to Holstein cows during the close-up period, the final three weeks before calving on a commercial dairy in California. The product used in this trial, Galaxis Frontier, consists of Clostridium beijerinckii, Pichia kudriavzevii, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Ruminococcus bovis, all sourced from the rumens of top performing dairy cows across the United States. The objective was to assess whether this blend could enhance colostrum quality and quantity compared to a control group that did not receive the product.
Six thousand cows were divided into treatment and control groups, including both multiparous and primiparous cows in each category. Of the 6,000 cows, 2,500 started on Galaxis Frontier treatment during the close-up period. All cows received an identical total mixed ration (TMR) diet, with the treatment group receiving 5g/head/day of Galaxis Frontier. Colostrum was collected within 12 hours of calving and analyzed for nutritional composition.
The treatment group produced a greater quantity of colostrum (18 lbs.) compared to the control group (15.6 lbs.). Furthermore, colostrum from the treatment group exhibited higher fat content (6.13% and 1.1 lbs. fat) than the control group (5.08% and 0.8 lbs. fat), while maintaining similar levels of Immunoglobulin G, or IgG (1.47 lbs. vs. 1.35 lbs.).
These findings indicate that supplementing the diet of close-up dairy cows with native rumen microbes can lead to increased colostrum yield and fat content. Although the study did not find significant differences in protein content or immune factors such as IgG, the observed enhancements in colostrum quantity and fat content are beneficial for calf health and early growth.
Incorporating native rumen microbes as a microbial supplement appears to be a promising practice for dairy farmers seeking to improve colostrum production in their herds. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of rumen microbes in dairy farming, emphasizing their potential to enhance the health and productivity of dairy cows through microbial supplementation.
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