The impact of direct-fed microbials and enzymes on the health and performance of dairy cows with emphasis on colostrum quality and serum immunoglobulin concentrations in calves.

Thirty-six cows were blocked by calving date and randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Cows were on treatments 3 weeks prepartum through 8 weeks post-partum. Treatments were as follows: (i) no direct-fed microbial (DFM) or cellulase and amylase enzymes (C), (ii) 45.

Diets containing high oil corn and tallow for dairy cows during early lactation.

Four multiparous Holstein cows averaging 49 DIM and fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods to determine the effects of diets containing high oil corn grain and tallow. Cows were fed diets of alfalfa haylage and concentrate (37:63, DM basis) for ad libitum intake. Treatments were 1) control, no added fat; 2) high oil corn grain replacing regular corn grain; 3) high oil corn grain and 2.

Effects of feeding lactating dairy cows diets containing extruded soybeans and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids.

Four multiparous Holstein cows averaging 36 DIM and fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of feeding extruded whole soybeans and Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Treatments were diets containing 1) no added fat, 2) 16% extruded whole soybeans, 3) 16% extruded whole soybeans and 3% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids, and 4) 16% extruded whole soybeans and 6% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Cows were fed for ad libitum intake a diet of alfalfa haylage, corn silage, and concentrate (35:15:50, DM basis).

Effects of feeding diets containing calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids to lactating dairy cows.

Four cows were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of feeding Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Treatments were control diet with 1) no added fat, 2) 3% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids, 3) 6% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids, and 4) 9% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Cows were fed chopped alfalfa hay, alfalfa haylage, corn silage, and concentrate (15:22:13:50) on a DM basis.

Effects of feeding lactating dairy cows diets containing whole soybeans and tallow.

Four multiparous Holstein cows averaging 133 d postpartum and fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of feeding diets containing whole soybeans and tallow. Treatments were 1) control, no added fat; 2) control and 10% whole raw soybeans; 3) control, 10% whole raw soybeans, and 2.5% tallow; and 4) control, 10% whole raw soybeans, and 4.

Diet digestibility and growth of holstein calves fed acidified milk replacers containing soy protein concentrate.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of acidification of milk replacers containing soy protein concentrate on diet digestibility and growth of Holstein bull calves. In Experiment 1, six calves (6 wk old) were fed at 10% of BW/d either acidified milk replacer containing soy protein concentrate or untreated milk replacer containing soy protein concentrate. Replacers were reconstituted to 12.

Effects of prilled fatty acids and calcium salts of fatty acids on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibilities, milk production, and milk composition.

Lactating Holstein cows averaging 193 d postpartum and fitted with rumen cannulae were used in two experiments to investigate the effects of supplementing Ca salts of fatty acids or prilled fatty acids to the diet on fermentation in the rumen, apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, milk production, and milk composition. Cows were fed ad libitum total mixed diets consisting of 45% concentrate and 55% forage. Treatments in Experiment 1 were: 1) control, 2) control plus 680 g/cow per d of Ca salts of fatty acids, 3) control plus 680 g/cow per d of prilled fatty acids, or 4) control plus 907 g/cow per d of prilled fatty acids.