Cesare Lui D.V.M. (Mantova), Dr. Paolo Valles (Trieste)
The test confirmed the increase in ingestion (+8%), and the production data demonstrated that the administration of TURVAL 4 CATTLE results in an increase in production of milk in each treated cow (+10%), and also, thanks to an overall improvement in metabolism, to an improvement of quality parameters such as an increase in protein contents and a decrease in the number of somatic cells (-13%). The latter testifies to an improvement in the general health of the animals.
The test was carried out in a farm in the Province of Cremona, Italy.
24 Friesian milk cows, divided into two homogeneous groups, were used. Both the groups were fed with the UNIFEED technique from a mixing wagon. In addition, one of the groups was given 10 gr. of TURVAL 4 CATTLE per head/day.
. F: UNIFEED feed.
Manufacturing company: composition determined directly by the veterinarian, and including corn, soy, mangel-wurzel pulp, barley, gluten, waxy corn, alfalfa hay, hay from permanent meadows, diet supplements and salt.
.TURVAL 4 Cattle: probiotic for diet integration.
Manufacturing company: TURVAL ITALIA, Pradamano, Udine, Italy. Authorisation MG 252 of 27 September 1994.
Ingredients: a balanced mixture of natural products such as Turval B0399 (a mixture of tipifyed lactic yeasts _Kluyveromyces B0399-, fermentation substrata; cellular metabolites such as amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins); Saccaromyces Cerevisae, powdered milk whey; fine wheat bran.
As the table below shows, the following facts may be pointed out:
-The 12 cows that were given TURVAL 4 CATTLE ate 2.7 kg. of UNIFEED a day more than the 12 control cows, with an increase in ingestion of 1.5 kg. of dry matter, equal to an 8% increase. This result is particularly important because it is correlated with an expansion of the rumen.
-At the end of the test, the milk produced was 584 kg. Since we can consider that, all conditions being equal, in the control group (which had been selected homogeneously as regards the distance from calving) production remained the same or even decreased, we can conjecture that there was an increase in the production of milk equal to 2 litres in each treated cow: approximately a 10% increment.
-There was an improvement in the quality of the milk, demonstrated particularly by a decrease in somatic cells, approximately 13% (this implies a decrease in udder engorgement, consequently a lower rate of mastitis), and by an increase in proteins, equal approximately to 6%. The latter is a very significant parameter in the definition of quality.
Since the diet of the two groups was identical and the cost of the diet supplement is 150 Italian lire per head/day, we may infer that the improvement in the quality and quantity of the milk production determines an increase in profit equal to approximately 1600 lire per head/day (700 lire per litre, and 7 to 10 lire per litre for the increase in proteins). Another factor that should be considered is the probable decrease in medical expenses resulting from the improvement in the general health of the cows.
Beginning of Trial: 15.10.98 – end of trial: 14.11.98
Duration: 30 days
F : UNIFEED feed
TURVAL 4 CATTLE: probiotic containing Kluyveromyces B0399
Breed: ITALIAN FRIESIAN
N° cows: 12 Treated + 12 Control
Quantity of milk produced:
-On 14.10.1998: kg. 560
-on 14.11.1998: kg. 584
GROUP | CONTROL | TREATED | |
milk per day/head | milk per day/head | milk per day/head | |
0,613403 | Lt | 23.03 | 23.03 |
0,614097 | Lt | 23.03 | 25.05.00 |
Increase | % | (+ 10%) |
Figure 1: Litres of daily milk per head
Quality of milk.
Date | 7.10.1998 | 4.11.1998 | |
somatic cells | cells/ml | 296.000 | 257.000 |
fat | % | 3,88 | 3,86 |
proteins | % | 3,41 | 3,63 |
total bacteria | UFC/ml | 52.000 | 36.000 |
Lactose | % | 5,25 | 5,19 |
Figure 2: Quality of milk:: the data of the somatic cells/ml and the percentage of proteins in comparison at the beginning of experimentation (7/10/98) and after treatment with TURVAL 4 Cattle
The purpose of this test was to verify whether the administration of a specific probiotic for ruminants such as TURVAL 4 CATTLE to milch cows leads not only to an increase in ingestion but also in an increase in the quantity of milk produced and an improvement in its quality. The test confirmed the increase in ingestion, and the production data demonstrated that the administration of TURVAL 4 CATTLE results in an increase in production of milk in each treated cow, and also, thanks to an overall improvement in metabolism, to an improvement of quality parameters such as an increase in protein contents and a decrease in the number of somatic cells. The latter testifies to an improvement in the general health of the animals. In economic terms, all this corresponds to an increase in proceeds of 1600 lire per head/day obtained with an increase in expenditure of 150 lire.
