Effects of prepartum metabolizable protein supply and management strategy on lactational performance and blood biomarkers in dairy cows during early lactation.

Our objective was to investigate the effects of prepartum metabolizable protein (MP) supply and management strategy on milk production and blood biomarkers in early lactation dairy cows. Ninety-six multigravida Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design study, blocked by calving date, and then assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments within block. Cows on the first treatment were fed a far-off lower MP diet [MP = 83 g/kg of dry matter (DM)] between -55 and -22 d before expected calving and then a close-up lower MP diet (MP = 83 g/kg of DM) until parturition (LPLP).

Lactobacillus plantarum GB LP-1 as a direct-fed microbial for neonatal calves.

Direct-fed microbial feed additives with potential to enhance growth performance, gut health, and immunity have gained considerable popularity in neonatal calf production. Lactobacillus plantarum GB LP-1 (LP) produced by a proprietary fermentation process could be a viable direct-fed microbial feed for neonatal calves. The hypothesis was that feeding LP may ease transitioning from milk replacer (MR) to calf starter (CS) by improving gut health and appetite, while minimizing health challenges from pathogens and stress to improve growth performance.

Effects of feeding rumen-degradable valine on milk production in late-lactating dairy cows.

The study objective was to determine if feeding the rumen-degradable AA Val can increase milk production comparable to recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST). Eight multiparous late-lactating (255±26.4 d in milk) Holstein dairy cows were blocked by milk yield (34.