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Innovative probiotic and prebiotic combination for early-lactation multiparous cows improves production and starch digestibility
The effect of bacterial and yeast probiotic and prebiotic effects on lactating dairy cows is receiving increased interest and recognition. The objective of this trial was to compare supplementation of a combination bacterial and yeast probiotic and prebiotic (Probios® Complete, Chr. Hansen, Inc., Milwaukee, WI USA) with a control diet measuring the lactation performance, starch digestibility, body condition score (BCS) and fecal score (FS) of Holstein cows. The study was conducted on a 1,300 cow dairy. Twenty test cows per pen averaging 64 days in milk participated in a 93 d study. Cows were housed in pens of 190 cows each and group fed a corn and corn silage based diet containing approximately 48% forage, 16.2% crude protein, 1.8 Mcal NEl/kg. 19% ADF, and 32% starch plus sugars (all DM basis). Data collected from the 40 test cows included: individual milk yield, and milk composition. BCS, FS, and data collection periods started on d 30 (P1), 59 (P2), and 93 (P3) of the study. Fecal grab samples were taken at 7 hr interval during 3 consecutive days from 20 cows per treatment at initiation and once every 30 days. Feed and orts samples were taken on the same days. Individual data is reported for 39 cows and results were analyzed using analysis of variance with treatment sum of squares partitioned into orthogonal comparisons. Relative to control, the probiotic treatment reduced (P<0.05) fecal ADF, NDF and starch, while increasing (P<0.05) fecal protein and fat. The calculated total tract apparent starch digestibility improved (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in milk production parameters in test cows. Comparing pen data, relative to control feeding the probiotic treatment significantly (P<0.05) increased daily energy corrected milk, (41.0 vs. 42.8 kg/day). Average BCS and FS were not affected by treatment (P>0.10). Feeding Probios® Complete improved significantly calculated total tract starch digestibility and daily energy corrected milk of early lactation multiparous Holstein cows.
Keywords:
Direct Fed Microbials, Bacteria, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Starch Digestibility