Vitamin nutrition in dairy is often taken for granted, with limited attention paid to how well our dairy cows are supplemented. B vitamins play a vital role in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism of dairy cows1,2. Lactational performance and production efficiency of dairy cows have increased significantly, suggesting B vitamin requirement of dairy cows may now be higher than before3. Previously it has been thought that vitamin B synthesis by rumen microbes is sufficient to provide dairy cows their total daily requirement1. Numerous studies in dairy cattle have however suggested that supplementing B vitamins to dairy cattle can have positive impacts on lactational performance and reproduction4,5,6,7,8,9. This is especially relevant for modern dairy diets with high levels of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. High carbohydrate levels in dairy diets have a significant negative impact on vitamin B production in the rumen11,12. Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) destroys vitamin B producing microbes before vitamin B production even begins, furthering the cause for supplementation of vitamin B to dairy cattle.

Selko Vivalto is a vitamin supplement for dairy cattle which includes a blend of rumen protected B vitamins. Selko Vivalto is designed to support changing metabolic demands during early lactation, by improving post-absorptive efficiency of feedstuffs .

The rate at which B vitamins are degraded in the rumen of dairy cattle challenges the effectiveness of common B vitamin supplements for dairy cattle. Due to the ability of microbes in the rumen of dairy cattle to metabolise B vitamins, protecting B vitamins is vital to ensure optimal lactational performance of dairy cattle. In a study investigating rumen disappearance of B vitamins, up to 99.3% of B vitamins was degraded in the rumen13. Selko Vivalto has been specifically formulated to ensure B vitamins bypass the rumen and reach the intestine intact.

Multiple trials10,14 were carried out to test the effects of Selko Vivalto on milk yield and feed efficiency of dairy cows.

Trial 1, material and methods
In the first trial10, a total of 54 dairy cows were divided into 2 groups. One group was fed Selko Vivalto at 2g/h/d and the other group served as a control. Selko Vivalto was fed between day 4 and day 200 of lactation.

Trial 1, results
Milk yield during the first 200 DIM increased by 540 kg (See Figure 1). Feeding Selko Vivalto also improved feed efficiency of dairy cows (see Figure 2).

Trial 2, materials and methods
During this study14, dairy cows were fed Selko Vivalto from 21 days pre-partum until 100 days post-partum.

Trial 2, results
Feeding Selko Vivalto to dairy cows resulted in an increase of feed intake and an increase of milk production (See Table 1).

To maximise lactational performance of modern dairy cows, it is vitally important to supplement them with rumen protected B vitamins. Increasing milk yields of dairy cattle continue to raise metabolic demands of the dairy cow, meaning rumen supply of B vitamins is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of a modern dairy cow. Alongside this increase in metabolic demands, most dairy cattle are fed high starch diets which significantly lower rumen pH and reduce B vitamin production by rumen microbes of dairy cattle. These two key issues combined provide huge scope for supplementing Selko Vivalto rumen protected B vitamins to support the dairy cow to meet her B vitamin demands and maximise lactational performance.

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