Ever hear the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Dairy farmers who have long been concerned about managing transition cows may have another tool to help get their animals through this difficult period.
Research trials conducted by veterinarians Matias Stangaferro and Peter Ostrum of Dairy Health Management Services in Lowville, N.Y., evaluated the use of a probiotic in transition cows, with initial data showing reduced cases of mastitis, pneumonia and overall health disorders.
The probiotic used in the trials, FreshStart, was developed by Healthy Cow Inc. of Toronto. According to the company, it is a gel that uses lactic acid bacteria to prime, prepare and restore a lactating cow’s reproductive tract through the transition period.
Stangaferro explains why the project, funded by the New York Farm Viability Institute, was initiated.
“The transition period is one of the most challenging times for dairy cows, with a series of abrupt metabolic and inflammatory changes as they recover from parturition [giving birth] and adapt to the high nutrient demand for milk production,” he says.
“Intravaginal administration of probiotics during this time has been shown to mitigate these challenges, with several small studies reporting reduced incidence of post-calving infections, along with improvements in milk production and feed efficiency. We were interested in validating these findings on a larger scale under real on-farm conditions.”
Stangaferro and Ostrum worked with a control group of about 375 cows and 406 cows distributed across three commercial dairy farms. Eligible cows were healthy Holsteins that would calve into their second or greater lactation during the trial.
The probiotic group received 10 cubic centimeters at dry-off, between 215-226 days carrying a calf; 20 cc when moved to the close-up pen, between 17 and 24 days before calving; and 20 cc before leaving the fresh pen, between 10 and 17 days in milk.
Results are promising
Data collected from two of the three farms showed the probiotic-applied group had fewer cases of mastitis (10% vs. 16.7%); pneumonia (4.1% vs. 6.3%); and less overall health disorders (22.9% vs. 31.1%) such as retained placenta, indigestion, milk fever, displaced abomasum, metritis and ketosis.
The probiotic group’s abortion rate was 3.9% compared to the control group’s 11.5% loss. Milk production was similar between the probiotic-treated and control group, but was greater for cows in third or greater lactation.
Based on the first three milk tests, protein yield and butterfat tended to be greater for cows that received the probiotic by about 0.03 pounds per cow per day for each component. Cows in third or greater lactation produced more protein than cows in second lactation.
The protein yield difference between the probiotic-treated cows at two of the participating farms was 3.11 pounds per cow per day versus 2.97 pounds in the control group.
Cow mortality was lower in the probiotic-treated group, 4.1%, vs. 6.7% in the control group. Culling was similar for both groups.
“This controlled study evaluation of a non-antibiotic application showed that farmers now have another tool in their toolbox to promote fresh cow health. Providing a clean, stress-free environment; feeding balanced and appropriate rations; and monitoring health and production records will remain the foundation of any accomplished transition cow program,” Ostrum says. “FreshStart will complement good management, ensuring cows navigate the transition period successfully."
But does it pay?
The Dairy Health Management Services report’s economic analysis showed the cost of the probiotic administered at three doses per cow (a total of 50 cc) at about $20 a cow. The cost savings in reduced disease treatment with the probiotic-treated group was calculated at $11.01, with a reduced replacement cost of $57.75 and reduced pregnancy loss of $38.34 for a total savings of $107.10 per cow.
Extra milk income per cow was estimated at $15 per cow over 100 days of expected milk response.
The return on investment across all three farms was calculated at $5.10 gained for each dollar spent, with $6.13 in extra income for each dollar spent.
Chambers Farm in Heuvelton, N.Y., participated in the project.
“Maintaining our cows’ reproductive health during the transition period means less stress, fewer problems, and longer cow life and milk production. Healthy, happy cows make money,” says Dan Chambers, farm owner.
Mark Murray of Murcrest Farm in Copenhagen, N.Y., says the research is promising enough that his family is considering enhancing its own facilities to continue using the probiotic.
“We are always chasing better reproductive performance and milk production, and fine-tuning opportunities to fill out our dairy replacements,” he says. “This FreshStart project was appealing for a look at a way to reduce antibiotic use while helping cows transition with faster return to peak milk production, and we saw good results.”
To see the complete results of this “Impact of FreshStart on Dairy Cow Health and Performance” project, and those of an earlier project, see healthycow.ca; call 833-776-7734; or email moo@healthycow.ca.
Dunn writes from Mannsville, N.Y.
The New York Farm Viability Institute manages competitive grants for projects that will create and share knowledge to improve the economic viability of New York’s farms. Visit nyfvi.org.