Poster
Effects of oral administration of Megasphaera elsdenii on health and production on commercial dairy farms
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2024
|
| Author: |
Tom R Overton |
| Clinic: |
Cornell University |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Fort Collins, CO 80528 |
T.M. Nelson, B.S.
1
;
A.L. Kerwin, Ph.D.
1
;
L.N. Ferro, B.S.
1
;
D.M. Barbano, M.S., Ph.D.
1
;
C. Louder, DVM
2
;
G. Gengelbach, M.S., Ph.D.
3
;
T.R. Overton, M.S., Ph.D.
3
;
1Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850
2Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850
3Axiota Animal Health, Fort Collins, CO, 80528
Introduction:
In the periparturient period dairy cattle are transitioned from a lower energy maintenance diet prepartum to a high energy lactation diet postpartum to support milk production. This rapid transition leaves dairy cattle susceptible to ruminal acidosis and subsequently results in health and productive issues that negatively affect the cow. We administered a bolus of Megasphaera elsdenii (Lactipro FLX) (MEB), a naturally occurring bacteria in the rumen that utilizes lactic acid, to prevent lactic acid from contributing to ruminal acidosis. Our goal was to determine the effects of post calving administration of a MEB on inflammation, subclinical ketosis, health, and milk yield of dairy cattle.
Materials and methods:
Holstein cows (n=840) on two commercial farms entering first and greater lactations were randomly assigned to receive a MEB or control bolus (CON) within 24-h of calving. The two farms had different milk production during the first 70 days in milk (DIM) (47 vs 39 kg/d). Blood and milk samples were collected 1x/wk for the first two weeks, body condition scores (BCS) and locomotion scores (LS) were assessed in the first week and a follow up around 70 DIM. Rumination was monitored until 70 DIM, and herd records were obtained to analyze milk yield and health events. Milk composition was determined, and serum samples were analyzed for haptoglobin and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Performance and blood biomarkers were evaluated using mixed effects models with repeated measures when applicable (SAS v. 9.4).
Results:
MEB had no difference in energy corrected milk (43.2 vs 42.9 ± 0.61 kg/d, P=0.69), but there was a treatment by farm effect where MEB cows in the high production herd tended to have more de novo fatty acids (1.08 vs 1.05 g/100g of milk, P=0.13). There was a treatment by parity interaction on pen rumination deviation, such that MEB cows had lower rumination deviation (P=0.02), as well as primiparous cows given MEB had higher rumination compared to CON cows in the first 70 DIM (P=0.03). Cows in the herd with high production and administered MEB tended to have a lower incidence of hyperketonemia (BHBA >1.2 mmol/L) in the first two weeks of lactation (P=0.15), as well as a treatment by farm effect where cows in the lower production herd administered MEB tended to lose less BCS in the first 70 DIM (-0.12 vs -0.16 ± 0.02 BCS, P=0.10). Overall, cows administered MEB tended to have a lower cull rate in the first 60 DIM (16/398 vs 26/402, P=0.12).
Significance:
This study provides evidence that cows administered MEB after calving had improved transition to lactation, resulting in fewer cows leaving the herd in early lactation.
