The high and increasing demand for dairy products exposes dairy cows to multiple stresses, such as metabolic stress and heat stress, especially during the transition period, which is three weeks before and three weeks after calving. In the face of climate change, especially high temperature and humidity, it is important to apply techniques to improve cow production and reproduction. The present study, conducted in 2023, investigated whether selenium and vitamin E supplementation or zinc, copper, and manganese complex can help dairy cows in transition improve their health and achieve higher milk production by overcoming immune and metabolic stress. Supplementation of trace elements and vitamin E may enable cows in transition to better adapt to heat stress. The study conducted in subtropical Taiwan, which can be generalized to other subtropical regions, can help dairy farmers to adjust the correct management method for cows in transition.
The materials and methods of this study were as follows:
Treatment 1: Organic selenium supplement + vitamin E,
Treatment 2: Supplementation with organic copper, zinc, and manganese complex
Treatment 3: Control group
Overall, the results showed that E-Sel supplementation improved immune function, reproductive function, and milk production, but did not alter the negative energy balance status, and the organic copper, zinc, and manganese mineral complex improved milk production and energy regulation through antioxidant capacity and immune function, but had no effect on reproductive performance.
