PSIV-A-1 - Supplementation of direct fed microbials improves performance, reduces morbidity, and positively affects the gut microbiome of preweaning dairy calves

Abstract: For the dairy industry, preweaning calf health is essential for success because it is the future of each farm. If these caves are to replace the current milking herd, we need to give them optimum nutrition and conditions to grow to their fullest potential to be most profitable. Often, the factors impacting health are invisible to the naked eye until they begin to impact production. A healthy gut microbiome is essential to efficient digestion for the young ruminant but also impacts the overall health and fitness level of the animal. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the impact of the inclusion of a super dose of probiotics in the diet of neo natal dairy calves on performance, production, and morbidity rates. Calves in this study were exposed to the same treatment and environment at birth and randomly assigned to one of two groups: the 5XP group (33.1± 3.6 kg) received five times the recommended dosage of Purina’s Calf Insure®, and the 2XP group (25.9± 5.2 kg) received twice the recommended dose of Purina’s Calf Insure®. A fecal sample was collected for each calf at birth, week 2, and weaning to evaluate differences in gut microbiome population throughout the trial. Weights were collected every two weeks for all calves on the trial until weaning at 8 weeks and comparisons were made between the two groups for total weight gain, average daily gain, fecal score, and morbidity rates pre-weaning. The calves on the 5XP gained 14.3 kg, 1.2 kg more than the 2XP group at 13.1 kg. The 5XP group also showed an improvement in fecal score over the 2XP group with fecal scores of 0.25 and 0.9, respectively. The data collected in this study highlights the importance of pre-weaning management for long term performance and health of dairy cows.