Early life administration of a Megasphaera elsdenii capsule as a tool improves performance and rumen development in dairy-beef calves under subacute ruminal acidosis risk
Ruminal health and solid feed dry matter intake (DMI) is essential for calf growth and development. However, calves can experience decreases in rumen pH leading to subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), as they transition from liquid to solid diets during weaning. In adult dairy and beef cattle, nutritional interventions with probiotics containing the lactate utilizing bacteria Megasphaera elsdenii have been successfully adopted to prevent SARA. Yet, there is limited information on SARA prevention strategies for calves. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral probiotic capsule containing a live culture of Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 (Lactipro FLX Calf, MS Biotec) on performance and rumen anatomical development of dairy-beef calves under SARA risk.
Authors
- Koki Nishihara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1307-3551)
- M.A. Steele (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6941-6205)
- J.H.C. Costa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9311-4741)
- Gustavo Mazon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5877-1997)
- M.V.F. Pereira
Institutions
- University of Vermont (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- University of Guelph (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference Proceedings
- Published
- 2025-03-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20249178
- Primary Topic
- Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00