An investigation of the β-Carotene status of Holstein cows in South Africa

Abstract

Experiment 1 A survey on the β-Carotene status of Holstein cows in different feeding systems In order to make meaningful recommendations with regard to β-Carotene supplementation is it necessary to know whether cows are deficient in β-Carotene. The objective of this study was to generate data on the β-Carotene status of Holstein cows under three different feeding systems in South Africa, namely; pasture-based, silage-based and hay-based feeding systems. A survey was conducted amongst 30 farms with 10 farms utilizing each of the three systems. Twenty multiparous cows were randomly selected from each farm. Blood samples were taken from the tail vein and analysed for plasma β-Carotene using the iCheck™, a hand held spectrophotometer (BioAnalyt, GmbH, Germany). Cows were then classified as deficient (< 1.5 mg/L), marginal (1.5 to 3.5 mg/L) or optimal (>3.5 mg/L). The average plasma β-Carotene levels differed between feeding systems and concentrations were 5.53, 2.98 and 1.71 mg/L for the pasture based, hay-based and silage-based feeding systems respectively. There was a wide variation in average plasma β-Carotene concentrations in cows on farms within the different feeding systems. Average values per farm ranged between 3.84 and 10.81 mg/L for the pasture based farms, 0.91 and 5.00 mg/L for the hay-based farms and between 0.78 and 3.38 mg/L for the silage-based farms. Results suggest cows on a pasture based feeding system have optimal β-Carotene status and do not need supplementation. Cows on hay-based systems are marginal and on farm testing is recommended. Cows on silage-based systems are generally deficient and β-Carotene supplementation is recommended. Experiment 2 Effect of prepartum β-Carotene supplementation on the postpartum β-Carotene status of Holstein cows. It has been recommended that cows be supplemented β-Carotene when blood plasma levels are deficient (< 1.5 mg/L) or marginal (< 3.5 mg/L) especially during the transition period which is characterised by low intakes and significant losses of β-Carotene through colostrum. The objective of this trial was to determine to what extent prepartum β-Carotene supplementation could maintain postpartum plasma β-Carotene concentrations above 3.5 mg/L in cows fed a lucerne hay-based TMR. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were blocked into two groups of ten cows each and were fed either 8kg/d of a control TMR (DM) or the control diet supplemented with 1200mg of ROVIMIX® β-Carotene 10%. The experimental period was from 60d pre-partum until 56d postpartum; however the period of the β-Carotene supplementation for the one group was only from 60d prepartum until calving. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein once per week and analysed for plasma β-Carotene using the iCheck™, a handheld spectrophotometer (BioAnalyt, GmbH, Germany). Average plasma β-Carotene concentrations prepartum were higher (6.15 mg/L) (P < 0.05) for supplemented cows compared to the control cows (3.10 mg/L). For the first 5 weeks postpartum, plasma β-Carotene was higher (P < 0.05) for supplemented cows compared to control cows (3.00 mg/L vs. 1.39 mg/L), from weeks 6 to 9 there were no differences (P > 0.05). Overall the average postpartum plasma β-Carotene values were 1.50 mg/L for the control cows and 2.43 mg/L for the supplemented cows and did not differ. Supplemented cows maintained sufficient β-Carotene concentrations only for the first 2 weeks postpartum and were either marginal or deficient for the rest of the experimental period. Results suggest a minor carryover effect of β-Carotene after prepartum supplementation.