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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 50(6)

Mastitis in beef cows and the effects of supplemental β-carotene on milk parameters

D. H. Whiteman A E , N. W. Tomkins B , R. J. Young B , I. Immig C , G. Weber C and R. Elliott D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of NRAVS, University of Queensland, Qld 4067, Australia.

B CSIRO Livestock Industries, JM Rendel Laboratory, Rockhampton, Qld 4701, Australia.

C DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, PO Box 2676, Building 241, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.

D DSM Nutritional Products Australia Pty Ltd, Princeton Court 3, Kenmore, Qld 4069, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: diana.whiteman@uqconnect.edu.au

Animal Production Science 50(6) 503-507 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN09171
Submitted: 1 December 2009  Accepted: 19 February 2010   Published: 11 June 2010

Abstract

Belmont red and Brahman cows (n = 50) were allocated to one of two groups to determine if β-carotene supplementation could reduce the incidence of mastitis and consequently improve calf productivity from birth to weaning. Both groups received a molasses-based supplement ad libitum; the treatment group supplement was fortified with ROVIMIX® β-carotene and ROVIMIX® E50 whereas the control group were provided access to the molasses supplement only. Blood samples were collected from cows pre and post calving and from calves when 84 ± 0.4 days old to measure plasma β-carotene concentration (PCC). Milk samples were collected 7 and 84 days post calving and at weaning and analysed for somatic cell count (SCC) and composition. Supplementation had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on SCC, calf PCC, calf LW gain and LW at weaning. Supplemented cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher PCC compared with unsupplemented cows (4.9 ± 0.36 v. 3.9 ± 0.24 mg/L, respectively) at weaning. Cows commenced the study in an above-average condition, and combined with unseasonal green forage it is concluded that β-carotene supplementation has no effect on mastitis or calf weaning weight.

Additional keywords: calf growth, grazing cattle, somatic cell count.


Acknowledgements

DHW gratefully acknowledges receipt of an MLA studentship to undertake this study. Nicole Griffin, Paul Williams, Nick Corbett, Warren Sim and Belmont Research Station staff assisted in collecting animal data.


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