Protein supply impacts transition milk and rumen microbes
Using 12 cannulated holstein cows, we assessed the impact of reduced metabolizable protein (MP) in the diet during the first 2 weeks post calving on rumen and milk microbiomes of 6 cows compared to the same animals at 4 weeks post calving after having received 100% of MP requirements from day 14 post-calving onward. These data are compared to a 6 animals held at 100% MP throughout the transition period.