Effect of yeast supplementation on performance, rumination time and rumen pH of dairy cows in commercial farm environments

V. Ambriz-Vilchis, N. S. Jessop, R.H. Fawcett, M. Webster, Darren Shaw, N. Walker, Alastair Macrae

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of live yeast supplementation (Vistacell MUCL 39855, AB Vista, Marlborough, England UK) on performance, rumination time and rumen pH on dairy cows in commercial farm environments. Three Trials were carried out, the trials lasted: trial 1 = 12 weeks, trial 2 = 15 weeks and trial 3 = 19 weeks. In each trial, 14 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were allocated to two groups that received a) Trial 1 a standard diet plus yeast b) Trial 2 an acidogenic diet plus yeast and c) Trial 3 grazing pasture plus yeast. Milk production, milk chemical characteristics, body weight and body condition score, rumination time and rumen pH were monitored for each group throughout the three Trials. No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the three Trials for any of the recorded variables (P > 0.05). In contrast, an effect of time (Period or days in milk) on rumen pH was observed in all three of the Trials as time spent under the acidotic thresholds increased across the experimental periods (P < 0.05); however the differences were not associated with live yeast supplementation (P > 0.05). No effect of live yeast supplementation was observed in any of the three Trials reported. Further research should include studies on animals at different stages of lactation (with emphasis on transition period and early lactation), consuming more challenging diets (higher level of inclusion of concentrates or starch), or under different environments such as grazing of succulent forages. Such studies might be required to elucidate any possible effect of live yeast supplementation of dairy cows when the rumen environment is under challenge.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5449-5461
JournalJournal of Dairy Science
Volume100
Issue number7
Early online date17 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2017

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • yeast
  • rumen pH
  • rumination time
  • dairy cow
  • acidosis

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