Direct-Fed Microbials Decreases Dry Matter Intake and Increases Feed Efficiency When Fed to Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows

Dry matter intake, milk production, and milk production efficiency were evaluated in 84 Holstein dairy cows fed either a control diet or a control diet plus the direct-fed microbial Bovamine. Neither milk nor ECM production were affected by feeding Bovamine. Feeding Bovamine, however, decreased DMI by 3.59%, resulting in an improvement in milk production efficiency and ECM production efficiency of 6.1% and 5.3%, respectively. Inclusion of Bovamine in dairy cattle diets should be considered to increase milk production efficiency.