Understanding Peak Milk

Understanding Peak Milk

Posted on by Thomas

Peak milk is used to measure the success of the dry period and early lactation nutrition and management. When nutrient needs for both the fetus and the cow are met during the dry period the cow will have a better chance of handling the stress inflicted at calving, will be able to modulate inflammation better, and will be less likely to encounter any metabolic diseases during the fresh period.

What is peak milk?

Peak milk is the highest recorded test day milk production in a cow’s first 150 days in milk (DIM). Peak milk indicates how well the cow responds to feeding strategies during the dry period, close-up, and early lactation periods.

Most cows reach peak milk by 45 to 90 DIM (60-70 DIM ideally) and then slowly lose production over time. Many papers cite that each added pound of peak milk could lead to 200 to 250 pounds more milk over the entire lactation.

How to improve peak milk and lactation performance.

  1. Focus on the dry period: Nutrition and management of the dry period affect health and performance post calving.
    • Aim for at least 28-32 pounds of dry matter intake per day. Compare intakes in the close-pen to the far of dry pen. We don’t want intakes to drop a whole lot when we move from the far-off to the close-up pen.
    • Avoid overfeeding energy.
    • Optimize cow comfort.
    • Address hoof health.
    • Support a healthy microbiome.
    • Prime the immune system and modulate inflammation.
  2. Prevent Subclinical milk fever: blood calcium levels below 8.0 milligrams/deciliter.
    • Animals are more prone to ketosis.
    • High somatic cell count.
    • Delayed uterine involution.
    • Animals more likely to have metritis.
    • Depressed feed intake.
    • Reduced milk yield.
  3. Optimize feed intake immediately after calving.
    • Provide 10-15 gallons of water including a drinkable drench.
    • Allow full access to the fresh ration.
    • Provide ad lib alfalfa/grass hay.
    • Keep feed fresh and bunks clean.
  4. Maximize cow comfort.
    • Stock pens 80-85% of capacity.
    • Keep animals in a fresh group for 14-21 days.
    • Provide 30-36 inches of bunk space per cow.
    • Reduce social stress.
    • Group first lactation animals separately if possible.
    • Invest in wind breaks, shades, and cooling if necessary.
  5. Maintain rumen health and prevent acidosis.
    • Offering ad lib alfalfa/grass hay in the fresh pen allows cattle to consume plenty of good quality digestible fiber to help them as they adjust to their new feeding program. Aim for 31-35% neutral detergent fiber.
    • Maintain rumen fiber mat with consistent feed intake and avoid empty bunks.
    • Provide free choice buffer, monitor both feed and buffer intakes.
  6. Identify cows with a history of metabolic or health problems: cows with a history of milk fever, ketosis, or mastitis are more likely to encounter these problems again.
    • Individual monitoring of these cows to help them navigate transition is helpful in disease prevention.
  7. Evaluate body condition scoring (BCS): target BCS at calving is 3.0-3.25.
    • Overweight cows are at higher risk for ketosis and fatty liver.
    • Overweight cows are typically harder to breed back.
  8. Position feed additives: fresh cow groups are verily likely to offer return on investment for feed additives, but don’t forget to leverage the dry period too. Always feed dairy cattle with the next phase of lactation in mind.
    • Ionophores increase glucose availability.
    • Rumen-protected choline improves liver health and function.
    • Rumen-protected amino acids help to meet amino acid requirements without over feeding protein.
    • Supplement protected fat to increase energy intake.
    • Yeast culture stabilizes rumen fermentation.
    • Live yeast increases anaerobic fermentation and stimulates further fiber digestion which allows for more volatile fatty acids to be produced.
    • Bacillus probiotics produce large quantities of digestive enzymes as well as competitively excluding pathogenic bacteria from the intestinal wall.
    • Dietary nucleotides speed up intestinal recovery.
    • Yeast cell wall decreases intestinal pathogens.
    • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation, reduces methane emissions, and impacts nitrogen metabolism.
  9. Avoid anti-nutritional factors: mold, wild yeast, poorly fermented feeds.
    • Mold counts over 100,000 colonies per gram are likely to decrease feed intake and diet digestibility.
    • Include a mycotoxin binder whenever antinutritional factors are a question.
  10. Focus on antioxidants and adaptogens
    • Antioxidants that vitamin E and selenium help reduce oxidative stress, which will impact immune function.
    • Feeding adaptogens can help the animal adapt through stressful situations.

Monitor peak milk on your farm to establish a baseline for your performance. Anytime you make feeding changes evaluate the success of those changes from both peak milk and health events.

Consult with your nutritionist to provide the best nutrition possible throughout the transition period and to best leverage feed additives. Always remember to be feeding your animals with the next phase of lactation in mind!

At MicroBasics we leverage a blend off digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and adaptogens (Achieve) to facilitate a smooth transition and send cows on their way to maximize peak milk production.  For more information on Achieve and how it can help you strategize your transition cow nutrition, please email service@microbasics.com.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Gut-Organ Axes: The Gut-Lung Connection

Gut-Organ Axes: The Gut-Lung Connection

Posted on by Thomas

One of the more recently discovered gut-organ connections is the gut-lung axis. Originally lungs were thought to be sterile unless an infection was present. This was due mostly to the fact that researchers were not able to culture microbes from the lungs of healthy animals. Utilization of new technologies in 16s rRNA gene sequencing have allowed researchers to discover that the lungs of healthy individuals are inhabited by a community of commensal microbes which play a role in protecting the respiratory tract from disease causing pathogens and activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Respiratory Tract Development

The respiratory tract is divided into 2 parts: the upper respiratory tract (URT) and the lower respiratory tract (LRT). The nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, nasal passages, nasopharynx, oropharynx, tonsils, and upper portion of the larynx make up the URT. The LRT contains the lower portion of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

The URT and LRT are colonized by different microbes shortly after birth. The microbial population of the LRT are mostly Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which is most like the oral cavity which suggests that the oral cavity microbiota may play a role in the establishment of the lung microbiota.

The microbiota of the nasal cavity (a portion of the URT) consists mostly of the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, like the microbial population of the skin.  Researchers are still learning but have discovered that the microbial communities of the URT and LRT are known to influence each other. Many factors play into the development of commensal microbial communities including diet, genetics, age, vaccination, management, and environment.

Lung Defense

The first line of immune defense within the respiratory tract is the nasopharyngeal mucosal layer which captures inhaled particles and prevents them from moving back up into the nasal and oral cavities. The mucus layer contains immune cells including antimicrobial peptides, glycoproteins, and IgA which help maintain homeostasis of the respiratory microbiota.

The second line of defense is the mucosal epithelium which produces molecules that trigger innate and adaptive immune responses to improve barrier function. The commensal microbes of the respiratory tract, mucosal epithelium, and the immune system communicate to promote respiratory health, reduce inflammation, and maintain functioning microbiota populations.

Gut-Lung Communication

Signaling that travels the gut-lung axis is bi-directional, however, most of the communication between the microbial populations of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the respiratory tract travels from the gut to the lungs. The specific mechanisms involved are still unknown. Furthermore, the lymphatic system and the bloodstream also play important roles in this communication by carrying bacteria and bacterial metabolites from the GIT to the lungs.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are one of the main ways that GIT microbiota influence the immune system, and thus the respiratory tract. SCFA are important for maintaining intestinal integrity and preventing inflammation in both the gut and the respiratory tract. SCFA also increases IgA production by enhancing plasma B cell metabolism ensuring that the intestines are protected from inflammation. Supplementation of prebiotics to increase SCFA production may prove helpful in improving epithelial integrity as well as improve the animal’s immune defense mechanisms.

On Farm Application

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is one of the most significant health concerns for weaned calves and feedlot cattle. Even with years and years of research in management and vaccines, BRD still remains one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, welfare concern, and economic losses within beef production.

BRD is a result of a combination of factors including environment, stress, management, and nutrition. The pathogens causing BRD are common commensals of the URT(e.g., Mycoplasma, Mannheimia, Histophilus, and Pasteurella). Microbiota of both healthy and sick animals can translocate from the URT to the LRT through inhalation after the host undergoes a stressful event.  The result is the development of pneumonia. Since stressful events contribute to the development of respiratory disease, composition of GIT microbiota may prove helpful in decreasing the incidence of BRD.

Research has shown that dietary supplementation can influence GIT microbiota, which also impacts the respiratory microbiota. The inclusion of minerals essential to the immune system are helpful as well as probiotics, prebiotics, and post biotics that bolster the microbial population, support intestinal epithelial integrity, and enhance immune function.

A trial including 1,374 calves showed a 15.4% reduction in BRD Treatment for those calves receiving TomaHawk iL Zn (a natural supplement that modulates inflammation, influences the GIT microbiota population, and includes other functional minerals and components that influence immune function).  he reduction in BRD treatments, as well as decreases in GIT disease and mortality equated an economic advantage of $5.34/animal.

How will knowledge of the gut-lung connection change the livestock industry?  Well, hopefully we can approach respiratory disease more proactively than reactively. In the trial mentioned above, TomaHawk iL Zn was successful in decreasing respiratory disease, antibiotic use, and death loss. The result, healthier more profitable animals. Time will tell, but I hope to see GIT management become a tool on more and more farms each year.  As the trend continues maybe we will finally make some headway against BRD.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Source: Welch CB, Ryman VE, Pringle TD, Lourenco JM. Utilizing the Gastrointestinal Microbiota to Modulate Cattle Health through the Microbiome-Gut-Organ Axes. Microorganisms. 2022 Jul 10;10(7):1391. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10071391. PMID: 35889109; PMCID: PMC9324549.

Importance of a VCPR

Importance of a VCPR

Posted on by Thomas

A Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR) is an agreement between a Veterinarian of Record (VOR) and a livestock producer which allows the producer access to expertise in animal health and prescription medications when deemed necessary by the VOR.

VOR

All livestock producers should have a valid VCPR. The VOR has the responsibility for providing oversight of treatment protocols, drug inventories, drug usage, prescription medications, and employee training.

  • The VOR listed on the agreement must consent to the role.
  • Be familiar with the facility.
  • Have been on site in the past 12 months.

Expectations

Expectations for a VCPR include:

  • Written agreement with the veterinarian which identifies the farm veterinarian accountable for drug use and treatment administration.
  • The VOR is responsible for overseeing drug use. Including tasks such as establishing treatment protocols, employee training, record analysis, and monitoring drug inventories.
  • Regular farm visits are critical to a VCPR. Time between visits should be decided by the VOR and be based on the size of the operation.
  • Other veterinarians that provide professional services must contact and inform the VOR of their findings and recommendations.
  • Written or electronic treatment records of all animals treated are pertinent in maintaining the VCPR. Said records should include the date, animal ID, drug(s) used, frequency, duration, dose, method of administration, applicable meat or milk withdrawal intervals, and the person giving the treatment.
  • The sale of drugs is not a valid ethical reason for having a VCPR.

Benefits

Your veterinarian can be a beneficial resource in establishing, reviewing, and improving protocols. They can help you identify management gaps and protocol drift with the goal of improving animal health and productivity.

  • Use your veterinarian as a resource for training employees.
    • Potentially painful procedures.
    • Disease identification.
    • Medication and treatment protocols to maximize recovery success.
    • Antibiotic stewardship.

Having a licensed veterinarian on your management team can bring a lot of resources to the table for your livestock production system. If you haven’t already established a VCPR talk to your veterinarian about doing so and use the program to help encourage record review and protocol improvement.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

The 5 Phases of Lactation

The 5 Phases of Lactation

Posted on by Thomas

Nutrient requirements change as the cow enters different stages of lactation.  Health and well-being of the animal depends on meeting those needs and preparing her to transition into the next phase.

Let’s go over each phase and important management and nutrient needs that should be met.

Phase 1: Dry Period (Dry off up to 21 days before calving)

  • This is a time of rest and repair for both the mammary gland and the gut.
  • A balanced dry cow feeding program can increase milk production by 500-1500 lbs. (227-682 kg.) in the next lactation.
  • Milk synthesis ceases.
  • Calf is increasing in size and development.
  • Body weight gain can occur. Limit weight gain to 1 lb.(.45 kg.) per day or half of a body condition score during the entire phase.
  • Dry matter intake will vary from 1.8-2.5% of body weight.
  • Do not depend on free choice consumption of vitamins and minerals. Include them in a formulated grain supplement package.
  • Diet includes:
    • 12-13% protein
    • 60-80 grams of calcium (Jersey’s 15% lower)
    • 30-40 grams of phosphorous (Jersey’s 15% lower)
    • Limit salt to 1 oz. (28 g.)
    • High quality forage including hay and corn silage.
    • Support gut repair by feeding digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.

Phase 2: Close-up Dry Cow Period (21-0 days before calving)

  • Critical phase to prepare the cow for lactation.
  • Increasing the level of grain in the diet provides more energy, changes rumen microbe proportions, and stimulates rumen papillae to elongate and increase in surface area.
  • Dry matter intake (DMI) begins to drop. At calving DMI may be 15-30% less than intakes during Phase 1.
  • Neonatal calf is growing quickly and requires more nutrients.
  • Body weight loss may be starting. The risk of ketosis increases as fat is mobilized.
  • Fatty liver development and higher levels of blood NEFA can begin.
  • Diet adjustments include:
    • Increase grain.
    • Increase protein to 15-16%.
    • Remove supplemental salt and buffers.
    • Add inonic salts and niacin (6 grams per day).
    • Continue to support and maintain the gut epithelial barrier by providing digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.
    • Consider rumen protected choline (15 grams).

Phase 3: Fresh Cow Period (Calving to 21 days post calving)

  • Monitor and observe fresh cows daily on an individual basis to make sure they are healthy when moved to the high cow group.
    • Monitor feed intake.
    • Take daily body temperatures.
    • Listen for rumen movements.
    • Observe uterine discharge.
    • Conduct ketone tests.
  • The Fresh Cow ration should be an intermediate between the close-up ration and the high cow ration.
    • In addition to a total-mixed ration (TMR), offer free choice long hay to help maintain rumen fill and function.
    • Increase ration energy to allow for lower feed intakes.
    • Limit added fat.
    • Supplement yeast culture to stimulate fiber-digesting bacteria.
    • Provide bacillus probiotics for pathogen control and production of digestive enzymes.
    • Provide pre and post biotics to support healthy immune function and modulation of inflammation.
    • Use a buffer to stabilize rumen pH.
    • Drench propylene glycol (1/2 lb. [227 g.]) or feed calcium pro-pionate (1/3 lb. [151 g.]) to raise blood glucose.
    • Supplement 6-12 grams of niacin to minimize ketosis.

Phase 4: Early Lactation (14-70 days post calving)

  • Cows are approaching peak milk.
  • Weight loss is occurring, and dry matter intake is lagging.
  • Diet includes:
    • High quality forages.
    • Limited fat.
    • Sources of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and balanced levels of lysine and methionine.
    • Increase grain energy gradually.
    • Allow for adequate feed bunk space.

Phase 5: Mid-Late Lactation (70 days post calving to dry off)

  • Peak milk and peak DMI have occurred. It is very important to optimize DMI.
  • Mature cows should be gaining and replacing lost body weight. (1-1.5 lbs. [.45-.68 kg.] per day).
  • Young cows should be growing.
  • Increase forages.
  • Target body condition score (BCS) is 3.25-3.75 at dry-off.
  • Continue to support gut and immune health as the cow will experience stress and susceptibility to inflammation at dry off.

Management and adequate nutrition of the cow through all 5 phases of lactation is critical for optimal health and performance of the animal!  At MicroBasics we know that all the little things add up to create big results. Support of the gut and immune system is necessary to maximize nutrient absorption and utilization. Utilize our flagship products Achieve and Surveillance iL to take feed efficiency and pathogen control to the next level on your farm!

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Sources: Feeding Guide by Mike Hutjens

Managing Biotoxins – Forever Chemicals

Managing Biotoxins – Forever Chemicals

Posted on by Thomas

Imagine you are a livestock producer and every single one of your animals is contaminated with a hazardous substance and must be destroyed. Back in 1973 that’s what happened to many farmers when a fire retardant called polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) was accidentally mixed into livestock feed. As a result over 500 contaminated Michigan farms were quarantined, and many animals had to be destroyed. Losses included approximately:

  • 30,000 cattle
  • 4,500 pigs
  • 1,500 sheep
  • 5 million chickens
  • 800 tons of animal feed
  • 18,000 pounds of cheese
  • 2,500 pounds of butter
  • 5 million eggs
  • 34,000 pounds of dried milk products.

Between the time of distribution of feed and the destruction of contaminated animals, dairy, egg, and meat products, many people had been exposed to PBB from eating contaminated products. The Michigan Department of Public Health responded by embarking upon a long-term study to evaluate the health of those exposed to PBB. Negative effects from the exposure included:

  • Abnormalities of the liver, kidney, skin, brain, eye, and adrenal glands.
  • Thyroid problems.
  • Lower Apgar scores.
  • Earlier menstruation.
  • Increased risk of miscarriage.
  • Breast cancer.
  • Urinary and genital problems.

It is now estimated that 8 million people carry the toxic chemical PBB in their bodies.

A Matter of When Not If

More recently another family farm faced the reality that their 3,665 cow herd would have to be euthanized due to contamination of another sort of fire retardant, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

July 2017 an inspection by Air Force scientists found water contamination of PFAS near Schaap Dairy which neighbored Cannon Airforce Base in Clovis, New Mexico. However, results were not communicated to nearby residents, and it was August 2018 before water at  the dairy was finally tested. One of Schaap’s wells tested at 12,000 parts per trillion which is 171 times the EPA health advisory level of 70ppt. The groundwater had potentially been contaminated the entire time that Schaap owned the ground. Schaap’s entire herd drank this contaminated water. He was forced to dump around 15,000 gallons of milk per day. It took four years for a resolution, but ultimately, he was forced to euthanize his entire herd.

Forever Chemicals

PFAS, PBB, and other forever chemicals don’t break down easily and are stored in adipose tissue, which means they get passed along in meat and milk.  Here are a few things you should know about forever chemicals.

  • Almost half of all tap water in the United States contains forever chemicals.
  • PFAS are found in non-stick cookware, microwave popcorn bags, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant carpets, fire retardants, cosmetics, shampoos, toys, and even dental floss.
  • Today there are nearly 15,000 PFAS substances.
  • PFAS have a special bond of carbon and fluorine atoms that makes them incredibly strong and resistant to heat, water, oil, and dirt.
  • PFAS do not fully degrade, leading to them accumulating in the environment and in the body.
  • Exposure to PFAS can cause damage to the liver and immune system, has been linked to low birth weight, birth defects, developmental delays, and increased risk of prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
  • Recent research found a link between PFAS exposure and delay in the onset of puberty, higher incidence of breast cancer, renal disease, and thyroid disease. A decrease in bone density in teenagers, and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in women.

It is not easy to get rid of forever chemicals.  Reverse-osmosis water filtration helps but does not remove all PFAS. The E.P.A. has set a new standard for PFAS levels, but how will we handle the situation in our livestock production systems?

Binding Forever Chemicals

Ultimately forever chemicals are everywhere and can cause may animal and human health problems. Solutions to reduce forever chemical exposure should include water testing and filtration, binding of the chemicals, support of the liver and kidneys, and modulation of immune function.

Intercept FEND binds forever chemicals, removes them from the animal’s body, and keeps them bound when they are excreted.

  • I.P.S. (Immune Positioning System) a blend of biological polysaccharides and polypeptides.
  • Adsorbents (Yeast Cell Wall, and Montmorillonite Clay).
  • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation.
  • Dietary nucleotides increase the maturity and growth of normal enterocytes.
  • Live Yeast
  • Yeast Culture
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Postbiotics

For more information on managing forever chemical challenges on your farm, please reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Sources:

Michigan’s PBB contamination: 50 years later | News | University of Michigan School of Public Health | Environmental Health | Food System | Environmental Health Effects | Michigan PBB Contamination | History | (umich.edu)

The PBB Disaster at 50 Digital Archive (arcgis.com)

The History of PBBs in Michigan

Art Schaap’s Dairy Dilemma – New Mexico In Focus (newmexicopbs.org)

Air Force Pollution Forces New Mexico Dairy to Euthanize 3,665 Cows | Dairy Herd

Six Things to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

Managing Biotoxins – Endotoxins

Managing Biotoxins – Endotoxins

Posted on by Thomas

The worldwide economic damage caused by endotoxin contamination is overwhelming. Effecting all livestock sectors including dairy, beef, poultry, swine, sheep, goats, egg production, and aquaculture. Economic losses are influenced by production losses, higher mortality rates, increased treatment costs, and increased management costs.

There are many different causes behind high endotoxin loads. Factors such as high-energy diets, high temperatures, birth, rehousing or pen movements, and antibiotic treatments.

Identification

Endotoxins are the main component of the outer cell wall membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Their main function is structural and protective. Frequently the word endotoxin may be used interchangeably with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).  Endotoxins are released when the bacteria cell dies, is mechanically damaged, or during cell lysis during bacterial growth and division.

For both humans and animals, endotoxins induce different biological reactions when present in even small amounts. Endotoxins can be found in the water, air, and environment. They are heat-stable and can exist even after sterilization.

Detection of endotoxin contamination in animals is challenging for livestock producers. Unlike mycotoxins, endotoxin levels are difficult to measure on the farm. Harmful effects of endotoxins may show up as increased infections, diarrhea, circulatory disorders, necrosis, pain, poor growth, or even reduced product quality. Most of the time the cause goes unrecognized, which leads to ineffective treatments.

Toxicity

When endotoxins are exposed on the surface of the bacteria, the innate immune system recognizes them as a threat and reacts accordingly. When Gram-negative bacteria are killed by the immune system, fragments of their membrane containing endotoxins are released into the blood stream and may cause fever and/or diarrhea.

Presence of endotoxins in the blood (endotoxemia) may lead to hypotension, respiratory failure, reduced oxygen delivery, sepsis, and even death.

Sources of Endotoxin

Gastrointestinal Tract: changes in the microbial community when cattle shift from a high-forage diet on a high-grain diet depresses rumen pH and increases LPS concentrations. LPS can cross the intestinal epithelium and disrupt intestinal barrier integrity.

Mammary Gland: bacterial infections of the mammary gland can end up with LPS translocation into systemic circulation.

Uterus: Bacterial contamination of the uterus occurs in most cows after parturition. Yet another potential source of endotoxin contamination. Cows with more severe uterine infections will be more at risk for endotoxin toxicity.

Higher levels of Endotoxin in circulation place an increased load on the liver and kidneys as the animal works to expel them from their system.

Systemic Endotoxemia

Systemic endotoxemia may play a role in increased susceptibility to other diseases.

Mastitis: most of the economic loss associated with mastitis is due to a reduction in milk production mainly caused by irreversible damage to mammary tissue. Mastitis is among the most common diseases in dairy cattle. Higher loads of LPS may inhibit the migration of neutrophils and cause animals to be more at risk for mastitis infection.

Retained Placenta: The failure to expel placental membranes within 24 hours of calving is largely associated to immune dysfunction. Research suggests that cows exposed to high doses of LPS around parturition are at higher risk of RP.

Metritis, Endometritis, and Infertility: Uterine disease is a key concern for dairy producers and is the most common cause of infertility. Postpartum uterine contamination and immune suppression around parturition are major factors influencing bacterial infection and uterine disease. Exposure to endotoxins during a uterine infection result in long-term consequences to the follicular reserve and may lead to infertility even after resolution of infection.

Fatty Liver: the potential role that endotoxins have on the formation of fatty liver is strongly suggested by multiple studies. Research suggests that high endotoxin loads may result in storage of free fatty acids in the liver.

Displaced Abomasum (DA): Affecting 5-7% of dairy cattle, DA is a multifactorial disease characterized by varying degrees of displacement and distension of the abomasum. The top 3 risk factors for a DA are decreased rumen fill, high-concentrate diets, and increased incidence of other disease such as fatty liver, RP, metritis, and mastitis. Multiple factors point to endotoxins as a contributing factor in the development of a DA. The first being reduced feed intake because of an endotoxin challenge. Endotoxins reduce the motility of the abomasum, making them likely one of the key factors that contributes to this disease.

Milk Fever: an average of 5-10% of all cattle are affected by milk fever (hypocalcemia) postpartum. Approximately 15% of those cattle are unresponsive to treatment resulting in downer cow syndrome. High loads of endotoxin reduce serum Ca and which may make an animal more prone to milk fever and downer cow syndrome. Milk fever remains an issue in the dairy industry despite management of dietary DCAD and magnesium levels. New evidence suggests that immune function is involved in the development of milk fever. More research is needed to clarify the pathway.

Laminitis: inflammation of the dermal layers inside the foot is defined as laminitis.  Laminitis is one of the top 3 diseases causing increased culling of cattle. It is well known that the changes in rumen microbiota caused by acidosis contribute to laminitis, however new research suggests that other factors including hormone changes, endotoxins, and environmental aspects also play a role in the development of laminitis.

Ultimately endotoxins are hard to detect and can cause may health problems.  Solutions to reduce endotoxin load should include management, nutrition, binding of the toxins, support of the liver and kidneys, and modulation of immune function.

Intercept and Intercept FEND support animal health during endotoxin challenges.

  • I.P.S. (Immune Positioning System) a blend of biological polysaccharides and polypeptides.
  • Adsorbents (Yeast Cell Wall, and Montmorillonite Clay).
  • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation.
  • Dietary nucleotides increase the maturity and growth of normal enterocytes.
  • Live Yeast
  • Yeast Culture
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Postbiotics

For more information on managing toxin challenges on your farm, please reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

 Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Managing Biotoxins – Mycotoxins

Managing Biotoxins – Mycotoxins

Posted on by Thomas

The U. N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FA) estimates that annually 25% of the world food crops are contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by mold and are harmful to living organisms. Exposure is usually by consumption, contact, or inhalation of contaminated feeds. Negative biological effects because of mycotoxin exposure include liver and kidney toxicity, central nervous system effects, and estrogenic effects.

Mold in feedstuffs

Mold is a fuzzy looking fungus that occurs in feedstuffs. Molds can cause a disease called mycosis that typically occurs when the immune system is suppressed during stressful times. Mycosis can occur in many different locations including the lungs, mammary gland, uterus, or intestine. Intestinal infection may result in hemorrhagic bowel.

Molds also produce poisons called mycotoxins that affect animals when they eat contaminated feeds, resulting in mycotoxicosis.

Mycotoxins in Cattle

Because of degradation in the rumen, cattle are more resistant to mycotoxins than monogastric animals are. Due to greater feed consumption and production stresses, dairy cattle may be more susceptible to mycotoxins than beef cattle.

There are hundreds of mycotoxins known, only a few have been extensively researched.  Mycotoxins of greatest concern most often include ergots produced in small grains, fescue, and grasses. Aflatoxin which is usually produced by Aspergillus mold; deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and fumonisin. Contaminated feeds often contain multiple mycotoxins which alters the expected symptoms of the animal.

Management

Mold spores are in the soil and in plant debris and can grow on crops in the field, during harvest, or during storage, processing or feeding. Management of crop production can reduce the prevalence and concentrations of mycotoxins.

Management of crops can help to reduce the amount of mold and mycotoxin contamination delivered to the animal. Hybrid selection, reduced field and harvest stress, rapid filling of silo bunk or bag, applying a silage inoculant, tight packing, covering, rapid feed-out, and discarding spoiled feed all help to reduce exposure.

Illness

A single dose of mycotoxin can cause an acute toxicity in cattle, but it is more likely that low-level consumption over time will result in more chronic symptoms. Mycotoxins affect cattle by reducing feed consumption, reducing nutrient utilization, altering rumen fermentation, suppressing immunity, altering reproduction, irritating tissues, and causing cellular death. Diagnosis is difficult because mycotoxin residues are not easily detected in the animal and symptoms are nonspecific and may result in a series of events of opportunistic diseases.

Detection

Feed analysis to detect mycotoxins is difficult as it is hard to gather representative feed samples. Not all mycotoxins can be detected by commercial laboratories. Managing the quantity of contaminated feed in a ration can help to reduce the impact of mycotoxins on the animal. See chart below for Mycotoxin Guidelines and Dietary Limits.

POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TOXIN LOADS FOR TOTAL DIET DRY MATTER

 

Dairy

Feedlot

Swine

Poultry

Equine

Toxin Type

All underlined values are in PPM, all others are in PPB

Aflatoxin

20

20

29

20

20

Deoxynivalenol

(DON or Vomitoxin) *

0.5-1.0

10

1

2

500

Fumonisin

2

7

10

20

500

T-2 Toxin

100

500

100

100

50

Zearalenone

400

5

300

10

50

Ochratoxin

5

5

50

100

35

Ergot Toxins (combined)

500

500

500

750

300

*Deoxynivalenol may be used as a marker for other forms of mycotoxin contamination. 90-100% of the time DON is detected with other mycotoxins present.

Measured toxin levels are likely not the only type of toxins present in a sample. Multiple toxins may interact to affect animal health and performance.

Source: Dr. John Goeser, PAS & Dipl. ACAN, Rock River Laboratories

Animal Health and Performance

When we fully understand the problem of mycotoxin contamination, we need to understand that the harmful effects impact overall animal health, performance, and the quality of consumable end products. Solutions to mycotoxin problems must include management, toxin binding, and address immune function.

Intercept and Intercept FEND support animal health during toxin challenges.

  • I.P.S. (Immune Positioning System) a blend of biological polysaccharides and polypeptides.
  • Adsorbents (Yeast Cell Wall, and Montmorillonite Clay).
  • Yucca schidigera modifies rumen fermentation.
  • Dietary nucleotides increase the maturity and growth of normal enterocytes.
  • Live Yeast
  • Yeast Culture
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Postbiotics

 

For more information on managing toxin challenges on your farm, please reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Raising Quality Beef

Raising Quality Beef

Posted on by Thomas

May is Beef Month! Please join us in celebrating hard working beef producers that provide consumers with high quality protein!  Beef is one of the most complex livestock animals to raise and is the result of several years of input and management. Let’s take a look at what it takes to make high quality beef!

Lifecycle

  • Most beef cattle start life on family-owned ranches and farms. Calves are raised by their mother, drink her milk, and graze on pasture or range land until they are ready to be weaned.
  • Calves are weaned from their mother’s milk about 6-9 moths of age and weigh between 450-700 pounds. Many weaned calves may continue to graze pasture or rangeland. Others might enter a stocker or backgrounder feeding program receiving a nutritionally balanced diet formulated to help them meet growth goals before going to auction or being sold into a feed yard.
  • Heifers saved for breeding purposes will return to live with the original herd. They will have their first baby at about 2 years old.
  • Cattle are often moved into feedyards to be “finished” the last 4-6 moths of their life. They are free to eat a carefully balanced diet made up of forage and grain products formulated to help them meet growth goals towards finished market weight.
  • Market weight is considered to be 1,200-1,400 pounds and is usually reached around 18-22 months of age. Beef marketed to consumers is harvested in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) processing facilities where inspectors oversee safety, animal welfare, and quality standards.

Dairy Beef Crosses

  • The U.S. beef herd is shrinking and to make up the difference in beef supply, beef on dairy crosses have become very popular.
  • Beef-on-dairy cross means that a dairy breed cow is bred to a beef breed bull resulting in a calf of mixed genetics. Male dairy cattle have always been used for beef, but these cross cattle have greater feed efficiency compared to purebred dairy calves. Improved feed efficiency lowers the environmental footprint associated with their production.
  • Beef-on-dairy delivers greater volumes of higher-grading carcasses.
  • Beef-on-dairy provides a more valuable animal to the marketplace and means more income for dairy farmers.
  • Beef from dairy herds makes up just over 20% of U.S. beef production.

Food Safety

Raising quality beef requires commitment and hard work. The Beef Quality Assurance program helps train beef producers to utilize modern techniques to raise cattle under optimal environmental and economic conditions. For consumers, that means that knowing the beef they buy is raised humanely and is delicious and nutritious. More than 85% of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certified farmers and ranchers.

Quality doesn’t just come from how the animal is handled; food safety is also important. Many pathogens that infect cattle can also cause harm to humans.  Some of these pathogens include campylobacter, clostridium botulinum, clostridium perfringens, salmonella, and E. coli.

While there are many postharvest interventions used to prevent contamination of food borne pathogens, recent research has suggested that preharvest interventions are a better way to control some foodborne pathogens in bovines.  The most tested and effective prevention strategies include high herd health status, good management, and biosecurity.

Improvements in herd health can be made with a sound nutrition program that not only includes formulation for key nutrients, but also supports gut and immune function.

  • Probiotics: Bacillus subtilis outcompetes pathogenic bacteria from colonizing the intestinal wall. Bonus, it produces large amounts of digestive enzymes to help with feed conversion.
  • Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS): decreases prevalence of intestinal pathogenic bacteria in improves immune defenses.
  • Yeast Culture: enhances rumen function, improves digestibility, dry matter intake, and helps relieve heat stress.
  • Biologically active polysaccharides: ensures that immune function is at peak performance!
  • Zinc Methionine: improved gut mucosal layer, improved feed efficiency, lung and hoof health.

At MicroBasics we believe that beef producers deserve resources for pathogen control and feed efficiency that do not require in-feed antibiotics. TomaHawk iL and TomaHawk iL Zn cover all the bases when it comes to feed efficiency and preharvest pathogen management. For more information on these products check them out in the MicroBasics online store.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Dairy Kind – Interview with Michelle Schack, D.V.M.

Dairy Kind – Interview with Michelle Schack, D.V.M.

Posted on by Thomas

Dr. Michelle Schack, D.V.M., didn’t grow up around agriculture, but she got there as fast as she could. She grew up in the bay area of California near Silicon Valley in a very urban area. As a child she tried to join 4-H, but everyone was knitting and crafting and nobody had animals. It wasn’t until college that she got involved in learning about food production.

“I didn’t grow up in agriculture and that is what has rooted my passion in educating the consumer. I learned so much when I got involved in agriculture, and I want everyone to have that opportunity to learn as well.”, says Dr. Schack.

Consumer Connection

She goes on to explain, “I think consumers are worried that there are farmers that don’t care about their animals. But if they step back, take a tour, or chat with the farmer then they can see things from a different point of view. It’s good for consumers, but it is the same for famers, and all of those of us in agriculture. We need to not get frustrated with how little people know. See it from their perspective, it is not their fault, they were raised in a way that didn’t provide education about agriculture. Being able to relate and connect to the consumer will positively impact the profitability and sustainability of our industry.

When I was in vet school, I edited an online blog for Dr. Scott Hurd out of Iowa State. He was very passionate of sharing out to consumers about what he knew about raising pigs and the pork industry as a whole. He used to tell us all the time, we have to get out of the barn yard. How do we get out of the barnyard? That was his driving mission. I still remember that to this day.

When people think they are “advocating” for agriculture, but in a way that bashes on or puts down uneducated consumers or people who think differently than them, they are alienating those people. They may have a lot of followers, but their followers are people that are already involved in agriculture and they are missing out on a whole group of people that would really benefit from the message. I try to be very factual and nonjudgmental as I answer questions.

When I do answer a question that seems like it should be something that is common knowledge, I end up getting a lot of views and there ends up being a lot of discussion. It brings other people to the page and opens the door for a lot of consumer education. I find it is helpful to answer all questions respectfully.”:

Social Media

“My broad message is that we have a lot of food choices out there and nobody should be shamed for their food choices. But we should all be making educated and informed food choices. I hope that nobody is choosing one product over another based-on fear. There is so much misinformation out there, I want them to know that the farms I work with truly value their employees and their animals and they want to do a good job producing quality food. I hope that is the message that I get across. If consuming dairy is not their thing, then that’s ok, but I want them to come to their decision based on fact, not inflammatory words in the media,” says Dr. Schack.

Public Speaking

Dr. Schack does a lot of public speaking geared towards consumer education.  She says,” I think it is important that consumers have access to the facts and to people that are willing to share their stories. Not just farmers, but everyone involved in the agriculture industry. It is really great if we can all connect together to share our stories and round out the picture of agriculture.

Employee Training

Dr. Schack and her colleagues are very passionate about working toward better employee training throughout the dairy industry. She and several other veterinarians founded Dairy Kind, a dairy education company.

Dr. Schack explained, “Getting training to employees was and is a big part of our job as veterinarians, however, we could not keep up with the labor turnover, and the amount of training that needs to be done in the field. So, we created an online platform where employees could have access to training that gives employees the best start to do the best job they can do.

It is for all dairy employees and includes different pathways for different roles on the dairy.  It is accessible online or via mobile device anywhere. That has been powerful in not only improving training, but accountability and verification for the milk processors and retailers that the farms they are buying from prioritize animal wellbeing.

We don’t audit, but all the audits require training. We are trying to help the farmers with their training and meet their requirements in a simplified and efficient way, as well as provide standardized training for employees.”

Dairy Kind started 5 years ago and has grown to training farms in 8 states. Including over 40 training resources and training over 30,000 employees. If you would like to learn more about Dairy Kind please visit their website.  Also don’t forget to follow Dr. Schack on your favorite social media platform!

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

TikTok

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Celebrating Earth Day: Nurturing Animals, Nurturing Our Planet

Celebrating Earth Day: Nurturing Animals, Nurturing Our Planet

Posted on by Thomas

As we celebrate Earth Day, it’s crucial to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life on our planet. At MicroBasics, we understand that the well-being of animals and the health of our environment go hand in hand. That’s why we’re committed to providing sustainable solutions for animal health while minimizing our ecological footprint.

In the world of agriculture, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a necessity. As populations grow and resources become scarcer, it’s imperative that we find ways to produce food that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable. That’s where our approach comes in.

From dairy cows to poultry and aquaculture, our range of products is designed with both the health of the animals and the planet in mind. We believe in harnessing the power of nature to promote animal well-being, which is why our products come to you with the finest natural solutions that nature has to offer. We are committed to identifying solutions from nature and providing the most advanced natural products on the market. It is quite simple, nature knows best. Every product has a purpose. Every ingredient solves a problem. By utilizing natural solutions, we can minimize the use of antibiotics, reducing the environmental impact of animal agriculture.

One of the key ways in which we contribute to sustainability is through the promotion of animal health and welfare. Healthy animals are more efficient producers, requiring fewer resources to thrive. By providing products that support the immune system, digestive health, and overall well-being of livestock, we help farmers optimize their operations while reducing the environmental footprint of animal agriculture.

Furthermore, healthy animals lead to higher quality food products for consumers. By ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of safety and quality, we’re not just benefiting the planet – we’re also promoting human health and well-being.


As we look to the future, the need for sustainable solutions in animal agriculture will only continue to grow. By prioritizing sustainability and the use of natural products, we can create a more resilient food system that benefits both people and the planet. This Earth Day, let’s recommit ourselves to nurturing animals and nurturing our planet for generations to come.

At MicroBasics we’re proud to be a part of this important mission. Together, we can make a difference – for the animals, for the environment, and for the future of our planet. Happy Earth Day!