Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
6-10-2019
Year of Publication
2019
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Document Type
Master's Thesis
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Animal and Food Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Joao H. C. Costa
Abstract
The transition period for dairy cows is defined as the three weeks pre and postpartum. During the transition period, dairy cows experience a myriad of metabolic, managerial, and nutritional requirement changes. These changes lead to stress and increased susceptibility to diseases which can negatively affect lactational performance in the short and long term. However, dietary amino acid availability can have a dramatic impact on the health and performance of dairy cows around parturition. Thus, the objective of the thesis was to evaluate the effects of supplementing yeast-derived microbial protein, as an alternative protein source for dairy cows during the transition period. This was accomplished by using visual observations and precision dairy monitoring technologies to record disease, feeding behavior, and performance of dairy cows from 21 days prepartum to 150 days postpartum. Yeast-derived microbial protein was found to decrease dry matter intake but not negatively affect milk production or health of the animals. Yeast-derived microbial protein may be used as an alternative protein source for transition dairy cows as it did not negatively affect milk production or health of the animals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2019.241
Funding Information
This project was supported by research funds provided by Alltech.
Recommended Citation
Mazon Correa Alves, Gustavo, "EFFECTS OF YEAST-DERIVED MICROBIAL PROTEIN ON TRANSITION DAIRY COW HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE" (2019). Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences. 103.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/animalsci_etds/103
