This longitudinal study aimed to quantify the effects of dietary supplementation of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) consisting of three lactobacilli isolates on milk yield, milk fat and protein yields, somatic cell count (SCC), and liveweight in a single dairy herd in Australia. A total of 150 dairy cows were randomly selected based on parity and days in milk and divided into two groups: control (n = 75) and DFM treatment (n = 75). Throughout the study, the two groups of cows were housed separately in a dry lot yard, and each group had their own feeding area. For the DFM treatment group, selected cows in mid-lactation were supplemented with 10 mL/cow/day of the DFM via top dressing of the feed for the remainder of the lactation and through the dry period, extending into subsequent lactation. The control group had no supplementation. The milk yield and liveweight were recorded daily. Milk samples were collected every two months for milk component analysis (fat, protein, and somatic cell count [SCC]). The DFM-treated cows gained more liveweight across the study (19.40 kg, 95% CI 0.44 kg; 38.30 kg, p = 0.05) compared to the control cows. In the second production year, the DFM-treated cows mobilized more liveweight (-6.06 kg, 95% CI -10.49 kg; -1.61 kg, p = 0.01) and produced more milk (0.39 L/d 95% CI 0.10; 0.89, p = 0.05). Over a full lactation, DFM cows yielded at least 258 L (95% CI 252 L; 265 L) more milk than controls. No significant differences were found in fat and protein yield or SCC. This study suggests that consistent and ongoing supplementation with a Lacticaseibacillus- and Lentilactobacillus-based DFM could have a positive effect on milk production, but further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanism.
Keywords: dairy cows; direct-fed microbial; liveweight; milk yield.