Background: Magnesium butyrate (MgB) supplementation of dairy cows during the three-week close-up period was tested for its effects on blood energy analytes, rumination time, inflammation, and lactation performance.
Methods: Daily milk yield was recorded and weekly milk samples collected for the first 70 days of lactation from MgB supplemented (MgB, n = 34), and unsupplemented (Control, n = 31) multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows. During a period from week 3 to week 10 postpartum, blood samples were taken and analyzed for various parameters, and ruminant activity was measured.
Results: The MgB group yielded 25.2% more milk than the Control during week 1, and had increased milk fat and protein concentrations over a longer duration. Somatic cell counts (SCC) were decreased in the MgB group independent of days in milk. No differences were observed between groups in terms of plasma non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, or blood iCa levels. The MgB group had lower haptoglobin (Hp) levels during lactation relative to the Control group. Time spent ruminating increased after calving with MgB due to a shorter post calving rumination delay relative to the Control group.
Conclusions: Prepartum MgB supplementation improved lactation performance without affecting blood energy analytes. The basis by which MgB also improved rumination activity remains to be determined, as DMI could not be assessed. As MgB lowered SCC and Hp concentrations, it is speculated that MgB may help minimize postpartum inflammatory processes.
Keywords: blood energy analytes; dairy cows; haptoglobin; magnesium butyrate; milk composition; rumination time; transition period.