Science & Technology, Canada (Commonwealth Union) – The use of probiotics in cows has become increasingly popular in recent years as a means to improve animal health and productivity. Probiotics can be administered to cows in several forms, including feed additives, oral supplements, and direct injection into the rumen.
A probiotic produced at the University of Alberta (U of A) has become the 1st of its kind to display widespread advantages for dairy cows, and has begun to make its way into the marketplace.
Immunobiologist Burim Ametaj, a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, indicated that his study on the breakthrough probiotic is demonstrating many advantages for milk cows prior to and after giving birth.
“The scientific results are amazing in terms of proactively lowering several important reproduction-related diseases in dairy cattle,” said Professor Ametaj.
The preventative product was formed to maintain the health of the animal’s reproductive tract and guard against infection. The development of the probiotic had taken 10 years of lab work that was obtained from 3 native bacterial strains seen in the reproductive tract of healthy cows.
Michael Gänzle a Microbiologist engaged in the study managed to identify the particular strains of lactic acid bacteria, regarded as “good” bacteria. Tests were then conducted on the probiotics between 2008 and 2018 in 3 big projects utilizing dairy cows from the U of A, Dairy Research and Technology Centre and from stock on 4 commercial Alberta dairy farms.
The probiotic functions with the supply of advantageous bacteria to the microbiome, the collection of microorganisms present in the reproductive system of the animal that consist of the uterus, vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes along with the ovaries.
Professor Ametaj indicated that the presence of higher amounts of good bacteria assists in preventing reproductive health problems being formed.
The study indicated that the probiotic application played a part in the 50% lowering in post-calving uterine infections. It further reduced the rate of milk fever by half as well as lower incidence of placenta retention. Researchers indicated that all of these conditions are expensive for dairy producers and at certain times deadly. The probiotic lowered inflammation causing lameness as well.
Furthermore, the test cows that got the probiotic had an elevation in milk yield by 4 to 6 litres per day in the 1st 50 days after calving. Together with that, their calves further had the advantage of, demonstrating increased weight and improved immunity 4 weeks following birth.
Jeff Nonay a dairy producer from the Canadian state of Alberta whose herd participated in the study, observed an association between the probiotic and an improved quality and quantity of colostrum, which is the 1st milk of the cow that is fed to calves after birth, to assist in developing their immune systems.
He further indicated that the probiotic could be valuable to assist calves obtain the most suitable start possible.
Professor Ametaj further indicated that the study findings verified by other dairy scientists across the globe, spoke of the power of probiotics.
“Bacteria are a major contributor to many animal diseases, and we’ve now shown that using probiotics is an excellent way of treating disease.” Probiotics also have the advantage of being natural products that don’t create issues like resistance to antibiotics,” said Professor Ametaj.
Applying the trade name ProPreg™, this probiotic is being marketed by a new company in Canada known as, Healthy Cow Corporation, as a way to assist in maintaining a healthy reproductive microbiome for cows.
Field-tests for the product on roughly 4,000 dairy cows have been conducted in the USA so far, with positive results, as indicated by Richard Strafehl, who is co-founder and chair of the corporation.
