ISSUE FOCUS 62 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2025 impacts cow reproductive performance as it decreases ovarian activity (Figure 2). EXPERT TIPS TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION As Professor Mike Steele, a specialist in physiology and metabolism of dairy calves and transition cows, at the University of Guelph, explains during an interview: “We want to do everything we can to minimize inflammation in early lactation. Inflammation comes from stress. It can be gastrointestinal disorders or abrupt dietary changes. But it can also be an important change in the cow’s environment, or a really rough calving or mastitis.” When asked how a dairy farmer can decrease inflammation, Steele shares his own approach, focusing on nutrition and beyond: “Decreasing inflammation can come from many different areas. Personally, I focus on the gastrointestinal tract. We look at ways of adapting the diet from a dry cow diet to an early lactation diet to minimize leaky gut.” However, he adds that, while nutrition is important, we also should focus on overall management practices and the animal environment, since “inflammation can come from everywhere”. DIGESTIVE WELFARE STARTS WITH MICROBIOTA MANAGEMENT Supporting optimal microbiota balance is essential to prevent leaky epitheliums as gut barrier disruption leads to increased permeability and inflammation. Reducing leaky rumen epithelium by maintaining a balanced microflora can be achieved by supplementing a probiotic live yeast, the rumen-specific yeast strain S. cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (Levucell SC, Lallemand Animal Nutrition). Research has shown that S. cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 limits inflammation at Mastitis Metritis Impaired Reproduction Fatty Liver Hypocalcemia Leaky Gut DMI NEFA BHB Ketosis DA Milk Yield LPS /Inflammation Figure 2. New paradigm in transition cow, placing inflammation at the center of cow disorders around transition (adapted from Horst E.A. et al., 2021) Photo: Studio Peace | Shutterstock
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