PSV-10 Effect of feeding a yeast supplement to transition Holstein cows on colostrum quality and calf well-being.

摘要

Feeding yeast-based supplements during the transition period may benefit a cow’s immunity, but the effect of these supplements on colostrum quality and calf well-being is relatively unknown. The objectives of the study were to determine how feeding Celmanax , a yeast-based supplement, to transition cows affected: 1) colostrum quality; 2) passive transfer to calves; and 3) presence of calf bedding bacteria. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to either be fed 56 g/d of Celmanax for 21 d pre-partum or not be fed Celmanax . No cows received dry-off vaccinations. Individual colostrum quality (% IgG) was measured with a Brix refractometer upon calving. Each calf was enrolled from birth through 40 d of age. At birth, body weight (BW) and a blood sample was collected to measure pre-colostrum total serum protein (TSP). Weekly BW were collected and an additional blood sample was collected at 3 d of age to measure post-colostrum TSP. Calves were individually-housed and bedding samples were cultured for lactose-fermenting bacteria on d 7 and 14. Birth BW, weaning BW, and colostrum quality differences between treatments were analyzed using PROC TTEST in SAS. PROC MIXED with repeated measures and PROC LOGISTIC were used to analyze TSP and the presence of bedding bacteria, respectively. No differences in birth BW, weaning BW, or colostrum quality (all > 0.05) occurred between treatments. Calf TSP did not differ between treatments ( = 0.19), but did increase (5.6 ± 0.1 - 7.3 ± 0.1 g/100 ml) post-colostrum ( < 0.0001). Bacteria presence in calf bedding was not influenced by treatment ( = 0.73), but calves fed a high-quality colostrum tended to have fewer instances of bedding bacteria ( = 0.06). These results suggest feeding Celmanax to cows may not influence calf well-being; however, colostrum quality may influence bacterial presence in calf bedding.