Effects of Providing a Protected Vitamin and Choline Supplement in the Transition Period on Dairy Cow Production and Reproduction

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of providing a rumen-protected vitamin (folic acid, riboflavin, vitamins A, D and E) and choline supplement (VC; Vicomb, Jefo Nutrition Inc., St. Hyacinthe, QC, Canada) during the periparturient period on milk production, milk composition, and reproduction in Holstein dairy cows. A total of 155 cows were provided no VC, VC prepartum only, VC postpartum only, or VC in both the pre- and postpartum period. Milk production and composition were monitored for the first 3 test d of the lactation cycle. Herd records from the first 150 d in lactation were used to determine numbers of cows comfirmed pregnant by 100 days in milk. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of VC on milk production in this study. However, providing VC postpartum increased milk protein percentage (P > 0.05) during the period it was being fed. Fat and protein weights also were greater for cows receiving VC (P < 0.05). Providing VC either prepartum, postpartum, or during both periods increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of cows bred by 100 days in milk.