Direct-fed microbial supplementation and health and performance of pre- and postpartum dairy cattle: a field trial.

A double-blind field trial was conducted on a commercial dairy to study the effects of feeding a direct-fed microbial (DFM) product consisting of 2 strains of Enterococcus faecium plus Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast on prepartum and postpartum performance of Holstein cows. Treatments consisted of the normal pre- and post-fresh TMR supplemented with the DFM (2 g/cow per d) or a placebo. Treatments started approximately 10 d prepartum and continued until about 23 d in milk (DIM).

Direct-fed microbial supplementation on ruminal digestion, health, and performance of pre- and postpartum dairy cattle.

Effects of supplementing direct-fed microbial agents (DFM) to dairy cows during the transition period were evaluated. Forty-four Holstein cows were fed close-up and lactating diets that did or did not contain 2 g of DFM/cow per d. The direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplement was fed at a rate of 2 × 109 viable yeast cells and 5 × 109 cfu of bacteria per cow per day [corrected].

Effects of bacterial direct-fed microbials and yeast on site and extent of digestion, blood chemistry, and subclinical ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle.

Two studies were conducted to determine whether a bacterial direct-fed microbial (DFM) alone or with yeast could minimize the risk of acidosis and improve feed utilization in feedlot cattle receiving high-concentrate diets. Eight ruminally cannulated steers, previously adapted to a high-concentrate diet, were used in crossover designs to study the effects of DFM on feed intake, ruminal pH, ruminal fermentation, blood characteristics, site and extent of digestion, and microbial protein synthesis. Steers were provided ad libitum access to a diet containing steam-rolled barley, barley silage, and a protein-mineral supplement (87, 8, and 5% on a DM basis, respectively).

Direct-fed microbial supplementation on the performance of dairy cattle during the transition period.

The influence of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) on the prepartum period and the effects on production performance during the postpartum period was investigated using 64 multiparous Holstein cows. Two close-up dry cow diets were fed to two groups of 32 cows each starting 21 d precalving as follows: 1) no DFM and 2) DFM. Post-calving cows were fed a lactation ration with or without DFM supplementation.

Ruminal supplementation of direct-fed microbials on diurnal pH variation and in situ digestion in dairy cattle.

To evaluate the effect of direct-fed microbial (DFM) concentration on diurnal rumen pH profiles and in situ digestibilities, nine ruminally cannulated cows in early lactation were fed treatments consisting of DFM (Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at a level of a) 1 x 10(5) cfu/ml of rumen fluid (10(5)), b) 1 x 10(6) cfu/ml of rumen fluid (10(6)), and c) 1 x 10(7) cfu/ml rumen fluid (10(7)). Treatments were directly administered via rumen cannula once daily. Cows were fitted with pH probes in their cannula and connected to dataloggers, which monitor pH hourly.