There’s a positive impact to dairy cows given the nutritional supplement OmniGem-AF (OG-AF), produced by Prince Agri Products Inc., according to the company, which presented research at the 2013 American Dairy Science Association/American Society of Animal Science Joint Annual Meeting.
Multiple abstracts were presented at the meeting, summarizing new university and field research studies, including:- Research conducted at the University of Arizona, using cows housed in environmentally-controlled modules, indicated animals receiving OG-AF had significantly greater dry matter intake, less water consumption, reduced respiration rates and lower rectal temperatures during heat stress than control cows.
- A trial, conducted at an 8,000-cow farm, showed mature Holsteins fed OG-AF from dry-off through 30 days in milk had statistically higher first test day, four-week and peak milk yields than cows that did not receive the product.
- Jersey calves receiving supplemental OG-AF from one to 50 or one to 160 days of age had improved growth and health, with reduced medication costs, compared to calves not receiving the product.
- Researchers at Texas Tech University found neutrophils (white blood cells that provide early protection against infections) obtained at calving from cows fed OG-AF beginning at dry-off, compared to cells from cows not receiving the product, had higher L-selectin content, but lower oxidative burst intensity in response to E. coli.
“Proper immune function can help maintain healthy cows year-round, which can help lead to smoother transitions, improved milk production, fewer culled cows and greater profitability.”
For access to the full abstracts, visit the meeting’s table of content's page. PD
—From Prince Agri Products news release
