Recombinant bovine somatotropin

overview and results from a recent meta-analysis of effects on health and welfare of dairy cows

Authors

  • Dale E. Bauman Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
  • Normand R. St-Pierre Department of Animal Science, College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • George A. Milliken Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Robert J. Collier School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
  • Joseph S. Hogan Department of Animal Science, College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • Jan K. Shearer Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • K. Larry Smith Department of Animal Science, College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • William W. Thatcher Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20153528

Keywords:

dairy, health, lactation, productivity, rbST, somatotropin, welfare

Abstract

Historically, the dairy industry has made remarkable gains in productivity and a gallon of milk can be produced today with less feed resource inputs and a markedly reduced carbon footprint. Recombinant bovine somatotropin is a production-enhancing technology and 20 years commercial use of POSILAC® (rbST-Zn) provided the backdrop for an updated meta-analysis of effects on cow health and welfare. Our meta-analysis used data from peer reviewed publications or regulatory reports in which the commercial formulation of rbST-Zn was used was according to label specifications. Twenty six studies were identified which had usable data (13,784 cows). Results indicated milk yield was increased by about 9 lb/d whereas milk fat, protein, and lactose content were unaltered. For health and welfare variables, treatment with rbST-Zn had little or no effect on udder health, reproduction, lameness, body condition or culling. Overall, these results and 20 years of US commercial experience demonstrate that management practices used by US dairy producers are adequate for the effective use of rbST-Zn to increase milk yield and productivity with no unmanageable adverse effects on cow health or welfare.

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Published

2015-09-17

Issue

Section

Dairy Sessions