Effects of essential oils, ionophore and live yeast supplementation on rumen fermentation dynamics in Jersey cows

Abstract

The prohibition of the use of growth promoting antibiotics in animal feeds within the European Union (EU) and some other countries has led to an increased interest in alternative means of manipulating rumen fermentation. The objectives of our study were to determine the effects of alternative natural feed additives, essential oils (EO, Oleobiotec) and rumen specific live yeast (LY, Levucell), to monensin (MO) and their effects on rumen fermentation and in sacco NDF, starch and N disappearance. The study consisted out of four rumen cannulated lactating Jersey cows that were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment. The four experimental treatments were: 1) Control (C), a lucerne hay/maize based TMR (10.7 MJ ME/kg, 17% CP, 32.1% NDF), 2) C + MO, 3) C + EO, 4) C + EO + LY. The experimental periods were 25 days with the last four days for rumen sampling and the in sacco study. Mean ruminal pH ranged between 5.80 and 6.02 and tended (P < 0.10) to be lower in the control cows compared to the other treatments. Total VFA production, acetate : propionate ratio and rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration did not differ (P > 0.05) but lactic acid concentration tended to be lower for the C + EO treatment when compared to MO supplemented cows. In sacco TMR starch disappearance after 24 hours were higher for the C + EO treatment when compared to the C and C + EO + LY treatment groups (P > 0.05). Milk production and DMI did not differ (P > 0.05) but fat % was higher for EO supplemented cows (4.52%) when compared to C cows (4.32%) (P < 0.05). Results suggest a negative interaction between the essential oil and live yeast products used in this study. More research is needed on potential complimentary effects and interactions between feed additives.