Effects of corn silage inclusion in preweaning calf diets.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of corn silage inclusion in starter feed provided to calves after birth through weaning at 7 wk of age. Thirty-six heifer calves and 9 bull calves were individually housed in hutches. Calves in treatment groups received pasteurized milk with all calf starter, 25% calf starter and 75% corn silage, or all corn silage.

Diet Influences Early Microbiota Development in Dairy Calves without Long-Term Impacts on Milk Production.

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microorganisms play important roles in the health of ruminant livestock and affect the production of agriculturally relevant products, including milk and meat. Despite this link, interventions to alter the adult microbiota to improve production have proven ineffective, as established microbial communities are resilient to change. In contrast, developing communities in young animals may be more easily altered but are less well studied.

Microbial succession in the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cows from 2 weeks to first lactation.

Development of the dairy calf gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and its associated microbiota are essential for survival and milk production, as this community is responsible for converting plant-based feeds into accessible nutrients. However, little is known regarding the establishment of microbes in the calf GIT. Here, we measured fecal-associated bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities of dairy cows from 2 weeks to the middle of first lactation (>2 years) as well as rumen-associated communities from weaning (8 weeks) to first lactation.