Effects of a blend of deactivated yeast, carob’s condensed tannins and bentonite on lactating dairy cows performance and in vitro fermentation testing long and short term effects.

Modern livestock nutrition requires solutions capable of enhancing the physiological and productive potential of the cow, even under environmental stress conditions. This study evaluated the efficacy of SOP® STAR COW, formulated with SOP Inside technology, by monitoring the physiological and fermentative response of cows exposed to a progressive increase in heat stress (THI from 65.8 to 76.4).

Analysis of performance and welfare (in vivo)
The supplementation demonstrated a marked ability to support animal homeostasis during heat waves:

• Rumen stability: a marked reduction in ruminal lactic acid (5.01 vs 1.11 mmol/L; -77.8%), along with a trend toward increased rumination (+3.2%), indicates a ruminal environment better protected from the risks of subacute acidosis (SARA).

• Improvement of metabolic profile: treated cows showed significantly higher albumin levels (36.00 vs 37.90 g/L; +5.3%), consistent with better immuno-metabolic balance and a more efficient physiological response during heat stress.

• Milk quality: while the control group showed the seasonal drop in titers, the STAR COW-treated group maintained a higher fat percentage by +3.4% (3.86% vs 3.99%) during periods of higher thermal stress.

• Mineral homeostasis: the treatment also showed an increase in blood calcium (2.46 vs 2.57 mmol/L; +4.5%), a relevant parameter for maintaining metabolic efficiency and neuromuscular function.

Fermentative efficiency and energy saving (in vitro)
The in vitro trial further clarified the fermentative profile associated with the treatment:

• Reduction of waste: a decrease in total gas production of -9.1% per unit of digested organic matter.

• Increase in Partition Factor (PF): PF increased by +10.2% (3.81 vs 4.20 mg/mL), indicating a greater capacity to convert fermented nutrients into useful microbial biomass rather than losing them as gas.

• Optimization of VFA (volatile fatty acids): the inoculum from animals adapted to the product showed a higher relative acetate proportion (51.78 vs 54.57 mol/100 mol; +5.4%) and more favorable acetate/propionate ratios, along with improved microbial protein synthesis efficiency.

Conclusions
The results indicate that SOP® STAR COW helps improve feed conversion efficiency, supporting the cow’s metabolic and fermentative balance. Its action accompanies the animal during the most critical phases of environmental stress, promoting milk quality, physiological functionality, and fermentative efficiency.