EDMONTON — A probiotic developed at the University of Alberta is the first of its kind to have widespread benefits for dairy cows, and is starting to make its way into the marketplace.
Immunobiologist Burim Ametaj, a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, says his research on the breakthrough probiotic — which took 10 years to develop — is showing several benefits for milk cows before and after giving birth.
The preventative product is drawn from three native bacterial strains, considered “good bacteria”, found in the reproductive tract of healthy cows. It works by supplying beneficial bacteria to the microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live in the reproductive system of the animal, including the uterus, vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The probiotics were then tested between 2008 and 2018 in three large projects using dairy cows from the U of A’s Dairy Research and Technology Centre and from stock on four commercial Alberta dairy farms.
“The scientific results are amazing in terms of proactively lowering several important reproduction-related diseases in dairy cattle,” he says.
The research showed that the probiotic’s use contributed to a 50 per cent reduction in post-calving uterine infections. It also lowered the rate of milk fever by half and reduced the incidence of placenta retention. All of these conditions are costly to dairy producers and sometimes deadly. The probiotic also reduced inflammation causing lameness.
In addition, test cows that received the probiotic increased their milk yield by four to six litres per day in the first 50 days after calving. Along with that, their calves also benefited, showing higher weight and better immunity four weeks after birth.
The research results, confirmed by other dairy scientists worldwide, speak to the power of probiotics, says Ametaj.
“Bacteria are a major contributor to many animal diseases, and we’ve now shown that using probiotics is an excellent way of treating disease,” he adds.
Under the trade name ProPreg™, the probiotic is being marketed by a Canadian startup, Healthy Cow Corporation. Small-scale sales have started in the United States, with plans to make the product available to Canadian dairy farmers within two years.
To read the full story, click here. To speak with Burim Ametaj, please contact:
Debra Clark
U of A communications associate
debra.clark@ualberta.ca