Efeito do uso de um produto probiótico a base de duas cepas de bacillus sp. na produção leiteira e ingestão de matéria seca de vacas no período de transição

Abstract

During the transition period, which typically encompasses most challenges related to the health of dairy cows, efforts have been made to find alternatives to address these issues. One such alternative is the use of probiotics. Twenty-six Holstein cows were separated based on weight and number of lactations into two groups, 30 days before calving: the Bovacillus Group (n=13; Live weight: 723 ± 103) received a total mixed ration (TMR) along with the addition of 3g/cow/day of a probiotic (Bovacillus, Christian Hansem, city, USA) based on Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis. The Control Group (n=13; Live weight: 708 ± 90) received only the TMR without the addition of the probiotic. The animals were housed in compost barns at the beginning of the experiment and were monitored from 30 days pre-calving to 60 days post-calving. Daily measurements included the consumption of green matter, diet collections for daily measurement of dry matter, and individual milk production monitoring. On days -30, 14, -4, 0, 4, 14, 30, and 60, the cows were weighed using a measuring tape, and their

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condition score (BCS) was evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Each animal underwent 5 raw milk samples for analysis of milk composition (fat, protein, lactose, SCC, TS, and ESD). After obtaining the results for milk production, feed consumption, and milk composition, feed efficiency, milk corrected for fat, and energy were calculated. All data were analyzed using analysis of variance (mixed model) and Tukey's paired T-test in the statistical software JMP® PRO 17 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for all variables. It was observed that the use of a probiotic based on Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis was able to increase milk production, the quantity of Milk Corrected for Fat (MCF), and Milk Corrected for Energy (MCE). Additionally, it increased dry matter intake and decreased SCC levels (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that the use of the probiotic can assist cows during the transition period by increasing milk production, dry matter intake, and reducing SCC.