TEANECK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Improving cow health and production was a common theme of the recent 2019 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) conference, held in Cincinnati. Researchers from around the globe convened to present findings from recent studies; among them, eight teams presented research specific to Phibro Animal Health Corporation (Phibro) nutritional products, offering a scientific basis and practical advice for integrating the products into feeding strategies.
Supports Enhanced Immune Response
Four studies helped demonstrate the positive impacts OmniGen nutritional specialty product has on animal health and immunity, which are closely linked to increased milk value.
Phibro supported research by the University of Georgia to evaluate the effect of withdrawing OmniGen (fed as OmniGen-AF®) from the diet of mid-lactation dairy cows, evaluating performance, blood stress hormone concentrations and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. The study found an enhanced immune response when feeding OmniGen. Cows that continued to be fed OmniGen beyond peak lactation had improved PBMC proliferation in response to an immunological challenge, compared to cows fed a diet without OmniGen.
A separate study focused on the effects of feeding OmniGen during the dry period and early lactation in cows, as researchers from the University of Florida sought to measure the impact of OmniGen on milk production, health and performance. Cows on a large commercial dairy farm were fed with or without OmniGen beginning on the first day of the dry period and continuing through approximately 150 days in milk. Cows fed OmniGen had greater milk yield; tended to have lower prevalence of mastitis, retained placenta and displaced abomasum; and had three fewer days open, relative to the control. From this data, researchers concluded that feeding OmniGen to dairy cows from dry-off to 150 days in milk might help improve immune response, which can lead to improved milk yields as well as improved health and reproductive performance.
A study conducted in conjunction with the University of Bologna (Italy), measured immune, rumen and blood metabolite responses in Parmigiano-Reggiano lactating Holstein cows. The study concluded feeding OmniGen can play a positive role to help improve immune cell responses in cows experiencing nutrient restriction, followed by handling stress.
Research at Phibro’s Corvallis Research Center studied blood cell populations and metabolic responses to endotoxins in both beef and dairy cows after 28 days of feeding OmniGen. This study concluded that feeding OmniGen to heifers for 28 days helped enhance immune cell balance and improved metabolism following endotoxin challenges.
“Collectively, these four studies demonstrate the positive impacts OmniGen has on animal health and immunity, which is closely linked to increased milk value,” says Derek McLean, Phibro’s Senior Director, Collaborative Research. “Phibro was proud to partner with these research teams and will put their findings to use to continue to provide innovative solutions to dairy producers as they rise to meet production challenges and continue to produce a quality, abundant product.”
Formulating DCAD Diets for Improved Calcium Homeostasis and Fresh Cow Health
Phibro collaborated with University of Illinois researchers to study the effects of prepartum levels of DCAD and calcium on uterine morphology, follicular development and pregnancy in postpartum dairy cows fed Animate nutritional specialty product. Results presented at ADSA demonstrated cows fed Animate in tandem with a high-dietary calcium diet had better uterine tissue morphology after calving, as well as better follicular activity prior to ovulation. In addition, cows on the fully acidogenic, high-calcium diet showed improved postpartum fertility. Dairy cows with improved postpartum fertility are more likely to become pregnant.
“The conclusions of this study show that dairy producers can make practical, small adjustments to their current DCAD formulations for big impacts on transition cow health,” McLean says. “In an era when every input dollar counts, it’s reassuring to know that there’s an effective, highly palatable product to help the cow regulate her blood calcium levels, which may contribute to better herd health and productivity.”
Yeast Cultures Increase Volatile Fatty Acid Production in Lactating Cows
Phibro’s ADSA research presentations extended to the rumen, where the effects of yeast culture on fermentation and nutrient utilization were studied in ruminal in vitro fermentation cultures. Cellerate Yeast Solutions yeast culture helped improve the production of selective volatile fatty acids, without detriment to other measures of rumen function.
“Research studies with the Cellerate Yeast Solutions line of products as well as OmniGen and Animate nutritional specialty products show that minor adjustments to feed formulations can have important impacts on dairy cow health and nutrition — and on producers’ bottom lines,” McLean says. “Phibro is proud to partner with dairy producers and will continue to invest in research to evolve our product portfolio to match their dairy cow nutrition needs.”
To read the research abstracts in their entirety, visit https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/2019-Annual-Meeting/Abstracts, or contact Dr. David Kirk, Phibro Dairy Technical Services Director, at David.Kirk@pahc.com to discuss your dairy cow nutrition challenge.
About Phibro Animal Health Corporation
Phibro Animal Health Corporation is a diversified global developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of animal health and mineral nutrition products for livestock, helping veterinarians and farmers produce healthy, affordable food while using fewer natural resources. For more information, visit www.pahc.com.
Effects of withdrawing OmniGen-AF from lactating cow diet on performance and peripheral blood mononuclear cells proliferation
Thiago N. Marins1, Jainer O.S. Calix1, Ruth M. Orellana Rivas1, John K. Bernard1, Miriam Garcia3, Derek J. McLean4, James D. Champan4, David J. Kirk4, and Sha Tao1
Effect of OmniGen-AF feeding during the dry period and early lactation on performance and health in cows
L.T. Casarotto2, K. Ferreira2, B.D. Davidson2, K. Moy2, A.K. Almeida2, J. Laporta2, J.D. Chapman4, D.J. Mclean4, D.J. Kirk3, G.E. Dahl2
OmniGen-AF alters metabolic profile and blood cell populations after 28 days of supplementation in LPS-challenged heifers
S.A. Armstrong, M.J. Coehlo, S.S. Bascom, E.D. Sharman, M. Garcia, D.J. McLean, J.D. Chapman
A commercially available yeast culture alters VFA production in a ruminal in vitro fermentation system
S.A. Armstrong4, S.S. Bascom4 and D.J. McLean4
Effect of substrate to inoculum ratio on outcomes of in vitro rumen fermentation studies
J.D. Remy3, S.A. Armstrong5
1University of Georgia, Tifton
2University of Florida, Gainesville
3Department of Animal and Rangeland Services, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
4Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Teaneck, New Jersey
5Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Corvallis Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon
