A trial performed on 250 milking cows in a dairy farm in the Basque Country,
The trial was performed in spring 2020 by Pr. Baucells J. and Espadamala A. to evaluate the effect of the two different dietary buffers (BicarZ and a lithothamnium based product) on the milk production and quality variables.
Specifically, it showed the use of
Context and methodology
Sample: The test was carried out in a dairy farm in the Basque Country (
Diet: The cows were given a diet of unique isoenergetic and isoprotein total mixed ration (TMR)
Time: The trial was performed from March to
Methodology: 1% DM of BicarZ was integrated during the first and third periods, while 0,5% DM of a lithothamnium based product was added during the second period (without BicarZ). The amounts of lithothamnium to be included vs BicarZ are those recommended by the manufacturer and used in normal practices.
In the first period, when BicarZ 1% was used, milk production achieved 39.33 l/cow/day, fat content 3.52% and ECM 40.10 l/cow/day.
During the second period, corresponding to the use of lithothamnium, the milk production decreased by 1.2 liters per cow per day, the fat content was reduced by more than 21% (from 3,52% to 2,77%) and energy-corrected milk (ECM) decreased by 5,8 liters per cow per day. This generated a significant economic impact on the farm's business and suggests an increased risk of SARA (subclinical acidosis) for the herd.
Three weeks after the beginning of Period 2 the farmers asked the researchers to move directly to Period 3 and reintroduce BicarZ.
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