Effects of B Vitamin Supplementation on Health, Production and Reproduction in Transition Dairy Cows
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Abstract
High-producing dairy cows are at a higher risk for metabolic disorders during the transition period. This thesis was conducted to evaluate the effect of a commercially available proprietary feed additive that provides B vitamins and choline on the incidence of health disorders, milk yield and reproduction in early lactation in commercial dairy herds. A randomized controlled trial on three freestall dairy herds evaluated the use of 100 g/cow/d of dietary supplemental B vitamin, given 3 wk before to 3 wk after calving. Supplemental B vitamins did not have an impact on the incidence of ketosis, clinical health disorders or anovulation, reproductive performance or udder edema. There was no improvement of milk production through the first three DHI test days with supplementation.