Effects of Pre- and Post-Partum Yeast Feeding on Early Lactation Milk Production

Conducted for:
Western Yeast Company
305 W. Ash Street P.O. Box 257 Chillicothe, IL 61523-0257

August 15, 2004 to March 1, 2005
Effects of Two Different Types of Yeast Culture During Wet-Stress Conditions to Post-Partum Cows In Early Lactation

Principal Investigator
Jenks Britt BS, DVM, DABVP
Department of Agriculture
Western Kentucky University

Co-Investigator
John Tako BS, MS
Dairy Herd Manager
Department of Agriculture
Western Kentucky University

Graduate Assistant
Fabian Y Bernal BS
Logan Philips BS
Department of Agriculture
Western Kentucky University

Statistical Consultant
Elmer Gray BS,MS,PhD
Dean Graduate Study
Department of Agriculture
Western Kentucky University

Effects of Two Different Types of Yeast Culture During Wet-Stress Conditions to Post-Partum Cows In Early Lactation

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two different types of yeast culture fed during wet stress conditions to post-partum cows. Nine to eleven cows per group were assigned by breed and lactation number to control, Western Yeast Cel-Con 5 (CC5) or a competitor yeast (CY) random complete block treatment groups. All cows received a ration of corn silage, alfalfa hay, whole cottonseed and grain mix plus the manufacturer recommended amount of yeast daily for the two treatment groups. Yeast groups were started 21 days before freshening and milk yield, fat and protein % were measured for the first 56 days of lactation. Test dates were 8/15/04 to 3/01/05 , which was one of the wettest winters on record. Cattle were in muddy lots most of time during the study.

Milk weights were captured and recorded at each milking using electronic weigh meters, which download into a computer. Using S.P.S.S.-13© software, data was analyzed using mix model of ANOVA and a separation of means by a t-Test.

Seven day average milk weights were used for the analysis in all the trials. The Holsteins and Jerseys differed in milk yield and energy corrected milk response to yeast feeding. The CC5 group had statistically higher ECM p=0.0056 than the controls. CY did not differ from the controls. The CC5 group differed from the CY group in Holstein’s as well as in the Jersey’s group; this difference was statistically significant at p= 0.05 level.

Holstein

- CC5 vs. CY Milk yield: p=0.05*, ECM p=0.034*
– CC5 vs. control Milk yield: p=0.131, ECM p=0.0056*
– CY vs. control Milk yield: p=0.40, ECM p=0.38

Jersey

– CC5 vs. CY Milk yield: p=0.0113*, ECM p=0.035*
– CC5 vs. control Milk yield: p=0.0095*, ECM p=0.0056*
– CY vs. control Milk yield: p=0.4, ECM p=0.38

* p=<0.05 is significant

In summary, energy corrected milk was statistically higher (p=<0.0056) in the CC5 groups versus the control (no yeast) group. The CC5 differed from the CY group in Holstein’s vs. Jersey’s.