Honors Theses and Capstones

Date of Award

Winter 2024

Project Type

Senior Honors Thesis

College or School

COLSA

Department

Animal Science

Program or Major

Animal Science

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Advisor

Peter Erickson

Second Advisor

Vanessa Grunkemeyer

Abstract

The primary objective of this research project is to further investigate the optimization of colostrum production in multiparous Jersey cows, focusing on the influence of diet and seasonal factors. Previous findings by Dr. Stahl in 2023 at the University of New Hampshire Burley-Demeritt Organic Dairy Research Farm indicated that an intake of 23 g/d of nicotinic acid (Niacin; NA) might have been excessive for prepartum Jersey cows, potentially affecting colostrum yield and quality. While an enhancement in intestinal development was noted in calves receiving colostrum from cows supplemented with nicotinic acid, the dosage may have been too high to positively impact colostrum quality and yield, as seen in Holstein cows (Aragona et al., 2020). Stahl's research also suggested that a dietary cation-anion difference of –80 mEq/kg, although seen to mitigate hypocalcemia, was insufficient for prepartum dairy cows, prompting a proposal to adjust this to –40 mEq/kg for all cows. The study will evaluate NA doses of 0 g/d, 8 g/d, and 16 g/d. Much of the research was conducted by Lydia Valentine, while my role involved laboratory analyses of glucose assays and the evaluation of glucose, ketones, and body weight samples from Jersey calves, in collaboration with Dr. Peter Erickson. The results indicated a decrease in glucose levels and an increase in ketones and body weight among calves whose dams were fed the 16 g/d NA treatment, suggesting that this treatment may enhance the physical and ruminal development of the calves. However, the comprehensive study led by Lydia Valentine is ongoing, leaving the questions regarding colostrum quality and quantity unresolved for now.

Download

Included in

Dairy Science Commons

Share

COinS