Lactating cows benefit from YEA-SACC1026
Alltech is urging all dairy farmers to be aware of the problems associated
with negative energy balance amongst their herds.
It is widely believed that negative energy balance in dairy cows has a
significant impact on the health and the performance of the early lactating
cow. Unfortunately all dairy cows suffer a period of negative energy
immediately after calving, and cows that are too thin at calving are at risk
of developing more problems. These can include a weakened immune system,
poor lactation persistency and an increased risk of fatty livers – all
factors which will affect performance post-calving. It is therefore
essential that managing negative energy balance should start in late
lactation.
The success of the cow’s breeding season is largely determined by what
happens in the period three weeks pre-calving and the three weeks
post-calving. During this transition period nutrition and management are
pivotal.
Cows which calve down healthy have a much better chance of going back into
calf quicker. However, it is the nutrition and management of that cow which
will determine how quickly she returns to a neutral and/or positive energy
balance.
Negative energy balance has been the key focus of many dairy studies over
the past five years and one firm – UCD Lyons Research Farm – has been at the
forefront of this research. They recently conducted some research to
investigate the impact of Yea-Sacc1026 – a live yeast culture produced by
Alltech.
This study concluded that using Yea-Sacc1026 could significantly assist
early lactating cows experiencing negative energy balance. The evidence was
measured by increased volatile acids in the rumen, reduced non-esterfied
fatty acid levels and higher insulin levels in blood.
In the study the cows supplemented on Yea-Sacc1026 had a higher rumen pH –
which is essential for optimum rumen. Cows on the Yea-Sacc1026 diet also had
increased VFAs (Volatile fatty acids) which are the key energy drivers for
cows.
Blood chemistry work also focused on insulin levels and NEFAs (non
esterified fatty acids) – both other significant indicators of energy
levels. The Yea-Sacc1026 cows had much lower levels of NEFAs which is a
clear indication that they were taking less fat from their backs to produce
milk. This clearly demonstrates that supplementing the diet with
Yea-Sacc1026 can help reduce negative energy balance.
Alltech is one of the leading animal health companies in the world. They are
committed to providing natural solutions to meet the needs of the animal
production industry worldwide and also to ensuring that they adhere to the
pioneering ACE Principle – deliver performance for the Animal, beneficial
for the Consumer and natural and safe for the Environment. For more
information please contact Alltech via their freephone number 0800 1078066