Yeast Supplement Improves Milk Production in Buffalo Cows
Author Information
Author(s): Fabio Zicarelli, Remus Costantin Vianello, Isabella Masiello, Nadia Musco, Piera Iommelli, Metha Wanapat, Daria Lotito, Pietro Lombardi, Micaela Grossi, Federico Infascelli, Raffaella Tudisco, Bianca Castiglioni, Carlo Boselli, Antonio Borghese, Antonella Chiariotti
Primary Institution: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II
Hypothesis
Can diet supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae improve nutrient digestibility and milk yield in buffalo cows during the transition period?
Conclusion
Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae significantly improved nutrient digestibility and milk yield in buffalo cows during the transition period.
Supporting Evidence
- Organic matter, protein, NDF, and ADF digestibility significantly increased with yeast supplementation.
- Milk yield was higher in the treated group (10.5 kg vs. 9.2 kg).
- Milk fat percentage decreased in the treated group (76.0 g/kg vs. 80.1 g/kg).
- The mozzarella cheese yield was not significantly affected by the treatment.
Takeaway
Feeding buffalo cows a special yeast can help them digest food better and produce more milk.
Methodology
Twenty buffalo cows were divided into control and treated groups, with the treated group receiving a yeast supplement for four weeks before and after calving.
Limitations
The study was conducted over a relatively short duration, and the effects of longer supplementation are not known.
Participant Demographics
Buffalo cows in the last month of pregnancy, homogeneous for parity and previous milk yield.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01 for digestibility improvements; p<0.05 for milk yield differences.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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