Abstract #M464

# M464
Milk production, quality, and components measured in lactating dairy goats supplemented with OmniGen-AF.
Angela D. Rowson*1, Shelby A. Armstrong1, Lane O. Ely2, Derek J. McLean1, 1Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Quincy, IL, 2University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

OmniGen-AF (OG) is a nutritional supplement that supports immune function in ruminant species. Forty-four, second parity lactating dairy goats were used to determine the effects of feeding OG on milk production, quality and components. Goats (63.5 ± 4.8 kg BW) were housed on a commercial goat dairy in Wisconsin. Does were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diets: 1) Control (CT; n = 22), and 2) OG (n = 22). CT does were fed a complete commercially available feed pellet (dry pellet: CP 14%, fat 3%, fiber 11.2%; lactating pellet: CP 16%, fat 3.4%, fiber 8.1%) twice a day and had ad libitum access to alfalfa hay. OG does were fed the same diet but with 6 g/h/d of OG added to the pellet. Both diets met the nutrient requirements of the does including the diet without OG. Diets were initiated at dry-off (67–94 d prepartum) and continued for the entire lactation. Does were crossbreds (Saanan, Nubian, Alpine and LaMancha) with all breeds equally represented in both groups. DHIA milk testing was performed every 28 d during lactation, resulting in a total of 10 tests. Milk production, % fat, % protein, fat corrected milk (FCM), energy corrected milk (ECM), SCC, and somatic cell score (SCS) data were collected at each test. Mean milk produced per day was significantly greater (P < 0.05) for OG does than CT does (3.65 vs. 3.3 kg/h/d, respectively). Mean FCM was 3.59 kg/h/d for OG goats vs. 3.15 kg/h/d for CT goats (P < 0.01). Mean ECM was 3.82 kg/h/d for OG goats and 3.39 kg/h/d for CT goats (P < 0.02). Mean milk % fat was significantly greater (P < 0.05) for OG does (3.93%) compared with CT does (3.66%). The mean SCC for OG does was 847,060 mL−1 vs. 1,167,100 mL−1 for CT does (P < 0.1). Further analysis of the last 2 test dates (mean days in milk = 239.7 and 266.8) indicated OG does had lower SCC [1,348,090 mL−1 (P < 0.1) and 2,003,630 mL−1 (P < 0.05)] than CT does (2,471,090 mL−1 and 5,057,630mL−1). There were no differences (P > 0.1) in mean % protein or mean SCS between the 2 groups. These results, including improved milk production, quality and select components, suggest enhanced mammary health in lactating dairy goats supplemented with OG.

Key Words: goat, milk, OmniGen-AF