Researchers Study Effects of Feeding OmniGen^® on Reproductive Performance

The dry and transition periods are physiologically challenging under even the best of conditions. Otherwise healthy dairy cattle commonly experience immunosuppression during the transition period, making them more susceptible to disease² – and diminished immunocompetence during the transition period can result in diseases that impact both milk quality and yield^3,4. Cows experiencing postpartum diseases, like mastitis or metritis, generally also have poorer reproductive outcomes^5,6, costing producers even more money per head from excessive days open.

Phibro partnered with researchers from the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville to evaluate the effects of improved immunity in dairy cattle on reproduction by feeding OmniGen AF, an all-natural dairy nutritional supplement, during the dry period and early lactation.

OmniGen AF has been shown to improve immune function in dairy cows leading to improved health and performance. The objective of this study: to determine if feeding OmniGen AF during this period would improve immunity, which could lead to improved health and reproductive performance of multiparous Holstein cows.

The study was conducted between 2018 and 2019 on a commercial dairy herd in Florida. 1,392 multiparous Holstein cows were placed into two groups: 1. Control or 2. OmniGen AF.

For 210 days, cows in the control group received 56 g/d of AB20^® as a placebo, while cows fed OmniGen AF received 56 g/d of the product from dry-off through confirmation of pregnancy or after the second synchronized breeding. Both groups were housed in the same free stall barn in comparable environments.

They were milked three times per day and postpartum diseases were monitored daily for both groups.

Lower Incidence of Clinical Mastitis, Fewer Days Open

While postpartum diseases like metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum and digestive orders did not differ between the two groups, there were several important distinctions. For one, cows fed OmniGen AF tended to have reduced (P < 0.10) incidence of clinical mastitis and retained placenta. They also spent fewer (P < 0.01) days in the hospital pen under antibiotic treatment, relative to the control group. The OmniGen group’s Days Open at 230 DIM was also reduced (P < 0.05).

Based on these results, researchers concluded that feeding OmniGen AF to dairy cows in a commercial setting, from dry off to approximately 150 days in milk, was associated with improved immunity, health and performance.

Visit TheOmnigenDifference.com or contact your local Phibro representative to learn more.

¹Casarotto et al., 2020. Anim. Feed Sci. and Technol. 267:1-9.  ²Wu et al., 2017. J. Dairy Sci. 100:7549–7555.  ³Goff and Horst, 1997. J. Dairy Sci. 80:1260–1268.  ⁴Drackley, 1999. J. Dairy Sci. 82:2259–2273.  ⁵Santos et al., 2004. Anim. Repro. Sci. 80:31–45.  ⁶Sheldon et al, 2008. Vet. J. 176:115–121.

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