Effect of yeast culture, fungal fermentation extract and non-ionic surfactant on performance of Holstein cows during transition period

The effects of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture (SC), fungal (Aspergillus oryzae) fermentation extract (AO) and non-ionic surfactant (NIS) as feed additives on dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production of dairy cow were investigated. Forty Holstein dairy cows were equally assigned to four treatments including the control in randomized block design, and fed the total mixed rations supplemented 20g, 100g and 50 mL day(-1) head(-1) for SC, AO and NIS during prepartum period, and 30 g, 150 g and 50 mL day(-1) head(-1) for SC, AO and NIS during postpartum period, respectively. Cows fed the diets supplemented SC or AO had greater (P < 0.05) DMI in the transitional period (-2 day, 0 day, +1 day of calving) than when fed the basal diet or NIS, but had no effect in prepartum (21 and 2 days) and postpartum (7, 21 and 42 days) periods. During entire experimental period, DMI was not significant difference between the control and NIS. Average milk production during the period of postpartum investigated was not influenced by supplementation of feed additives. Milk fat content, however, was significantly (P < 0.05) increased about 3.9% in cows fed the diets supplemented AO or NIS compare to the control. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.