Research and industry experts are increasingly focusing on nutrition as a tool to improve dairy cows’ resilience to infection, recognising that disease challenges can divert energy away from milk production and compromise overall animal health. A cow facing pathogens or other stressors can experience reduced feed intake, intestinal barrier disruption and systemic inflammation, which may increase the risk of secondary infections and reduce productivity.
Feedstuffs highlights that strengthening the animal’s immune system, gut integrity and nutritional status can help cows better withstand these challenges. Key strategies include maintaining a high-quality and consistent diet, supporting beneficial gut microbes, managing environmental stressors and using targeted feed additives where appropriate. Researchers and nutrition specialists also emphasise that resilience is not simply about eliminating pathogens, but about helping cows maintain a balanced immune response and strong biological barriers that limit pathogen colonisation and reduce inflammation.
This approach is becoming increasingly relevant as dairy producers seek to protect animal health while maintaining milk yield and controlling input costs. The broader industry focus is shifting from treating disease after it occurs toward building healthier, more resilient cows through nutrition, management, genetics and preventive health programmes. (feedstuffs.com)
Source: Dairynewd7x7 10 Aug, 2026 Read full article here
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