Recent Research Shows BIOFRESH Boluses Are Effective For Reducing Somatic Cell Counts Among Dairy Cows
PLAIN CITY, Ohio, Nov. 3, 2003 — Short-term feeding of BIOFRESH™
Boluses containing yeast culture, direct-fed enzymes and other key
ingredients is an effective method for reducing somatic cell counts
in lactating Holstein cows. That's the finding of recent research
conducted at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.
"Through this research, we found that administering BIOFRESH Boluses
appears to alter a cow's immune system and lower somatic cell
counts - especially among cows with a high somatic cell count,"
says Ken Griswold, an animal scientist with Southern Illinois
University. "Being able to feed a product that will lower somatic
cell counts offers a significant benefit for dairy producers."
Griswold was the lead researcher for this study, which included 42
Holstein cows averaging 179 days in lactation. The cows were randomly
split into two treatment groups, with one group receiving the BIOFRESH
Boluses and the second group receiving placebo boluses. Each cow
received a bolus for three consecutive days one week after initiation
of the study.
Griswold reports that the most significant reduction in somatic cell
counts was seen among cows with a linear somatic cell count score of
five or greater.
"About 80 percent of these cows had a reduced somatic cell count
starting approximately 14 to 21 days after initial administration of
the BIOFRESH Boluses," he says. The researchers observed that the
initial linear somatic cell count score was decreased by about one
unit (e.g., 200,000 somatic cell count), and the decrease lasted
approximately 28 days.
Griswold adds, "We did not see any change in milk yield or milk
composition among any of the cows in the two treatment groups during
the study. This demonstrates BIOFRESH Boluses will not negatively
impact milk production."
Management Recommendations
For dairy producers considering the BIOFRESH Bolus as a management tool
in their herds, Griswold offers these suggestions:
"First and foremost, these boluses should not be used as a replacement
for antibiotics," he cautions, and adds, "This is not a cure for mastitis
in the herd. The bolus is most effective when fed to those individual cows
with a linear somatic cell count (SCC) score of five or above. Therefore,
producers need to use a form of record-keeping to identify the somatic
cell counts on individual cows, and then bolus only those high-SCC cows."
Griswold says about 42 to 49 days after administering the first BIOFRESH
Bolus, somatic cell counts may return to levels observed prior to bolusing,
making further administration necessary.
"The bolus produces a transient effect," he says. "For some cows it won't
reduce the somatic cell count; for some it will reduce the count and it
will remain low, and for others SCC will be reduced and then come back up."
Thus, he says keeping record of somatic cell counts for individual
cows remains critical.
Griswold and fellow researchers at Southern Illinois University are
conducting ongoing research to learn more about the mode of action
and immune response produced by the BIOFRESH Bolus.
The BIOFRESH Bolus is distributed exclusively by Select Sires.
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is a federation of 10
farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. It provides highly fertile
semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its
basic objective of supplying livestock breeders with America's best
genetics at a reasonable price.
™BIOFRESH is a trademark of Agrarian Marketing Corporation, Middlebury, Ind.
Editor's Note: For a complete copy of the research report or a picture of BIOFRESH Bolus, feel free to contact us.
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