The Effects of Fresh Start Supplement on Milk Production in Ealy Lactation Cattle

Background: In dairy production, the transition period is very critical, due to the sudden increase in the energy requirements of lactating cows as they confront a Negative Energy Balance (NEB) and start mobilizing the fat deposits. NEB may lead to various health issues, including ketosis, metritis, and retained placenta. Moreover, one of the main challenges during this time is the sudden increase in milk production, as it is required for calf growth. Possibly, this results in decreasing dry matter intake, which eventually affects the production negatively. Fresh Start (FS), a lactation energy and mineral supplement produced by Foudeh Co., has been suggested as one of the methods to increase milk production during the first few weeks of lactation. Methods: We divided ۴۰ Holstein cows into two groups equally, including a control group and a group that consumed FS. The control group contained ۱۲ multiparous and ۸ primiparous cows. The FS group received ۱.۵ kg of FS at calving. Subsequently, we recorded the daily milk production from day ۱ to day ۱۴ after giving birth. Results: The cows fed with FS were able to produce more milk during that time, by an average amount of ۳۷.۹۵±۰.۵۲ kg per day; however, the control group cows only produced an average of ۳۶.۸۹±۰.۵۳ kg per day. Although this difference is not significant according to the statistics, it indicates a higher daily milk yield during the early lactation period in the FS group. Conclusion: Supplementation with Fresh Start was able to increase milk production during the early lactation. Therefore, it is believed to be a useful nutritional strategy to enhance productivity in dairy cattle.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fresh Start ، Dairy Cows ، Production of Milk ، Early Lactating ، Nutritional Supplement