Effect of dietary supplementation of probiotics on milk yield and quality in crossbred dairy cattle

Abstract:

Can a daily sachet of bacteria meaningfully boost a dairy cow’s output? This research evaluated two probiotic preparations—Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Probiotic A) and a multi-strain blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus + Enterococcus faecium + S. cerevisiae (Probiotic B)—against an unsupplemented control and a combined A + B treatment in 48 Holstein-Friesian × Polish Red crossbred cows at the Mazovia Institute dairy unit, Warsaw, over 120 days of mid-lactation (2022–2023). The combined supplement raised daily milk yield from 14.2 L (control) to 19.6 L (+38%), increased milk fat from 3.72% to 4.08%, and lowered somatic cell count by 31%. Probiotic A alone improved yield by 21% and Probiotic B by 28%. Feed conversion efficiency (kg milk per kg DMI) was best under the combined treatment (1.42 vs. 1.18 in the control). These results support probiotic supplementation as a practical, antibiotic-free strategy for improving milk productivity in crossbred dairy herds under Polish winter feeding conditions.