Innovative Acidogenic Boluses Show Promise in Supporting Milk Production Decline and Reducing Mastitis in High-Yield Cows
July 25,2023
Varun Mourya, VGlobe News
Ruminants Everyday (RED) – Drying off cows with high milk production levels has always been a challenging task, often leading to increased risk of mastitis infections and discomfort from engorged udders. However, a groundbreaking study has shed light on a potential solution that may revolutionize the dairy industry.
Various methods have been explored in the past to address the decline in milk production, including adjusting milking frequency, altering feed quantity or concentration, and investigating the use of prolactin-release inhibitors. Unfortunately, these methods are not always practical for all dairies, and there is currently a lack of FDA-approved injectable prolactin-release inhibitors available in the U.S.
As an alternative approach, researchers have turned their attention to acidogenic boluses enriched with ammonium chloride, which can create an acetic environment in cows’ digestive tracts. This innovative approach offers hope for supporting milk production decline without compromising cow health.
A comprehensive study involving over 800 cows has yielded promising results. Cows treated with the acidogenic boluses experienced longer periods of rest, a lower incidence of mastitis, and remarkably, no significant difference in milk production or reproductive performance.
Moreover, this novel practice has proven to be economically advantageous for dairy herds. The cows that received the acidogenic boluses demonstrated a total cost saving of approximately $78.69 per cow. These savings were attributed to a reduction in mastitis therapy costs, reduced labor for sick cows, minimized discarded milk, and a decrease in involuntary culling.
It is worth noting that herds facing a higher incidence of mastitis stand to benefit the most from this innovative practice. By implementing the acidogenic boluses regimen, dairy farmers could potentially mitigate the economic losses associated with mastitis infections while simultaneously supporting their cows’ health and productivity.
With the absence of FDA-approved injectable prolactin-release inhibitors in the U.S., this study offers a practical and promising solution to a pressing issue faced by dairy farmers nationwide. As researchers continue to delve into the long-term effects and overall sustainability of this approach, the dairy industry eagerly anticipates a potential game-changer in managing milk production and cow well-being.
