Biotics offer credible pathways to improving health and performance in dairy cattle while also acting as disease prevention tool.
From improving rumen function to supporting udder health, biotics can influence cow wellbeing and productivity in a variety of ways.
A recent academic review into gut health management in livestock rounded up research findings from the past decade to better frame how biotics (probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics) impact dairy cattle health.
The use of biotics in cows can be relatively inexpensive compared to other growth promoters, making it important for producers to understand what therapeutic options are available: and the emerging research that could influence management strategies in the future.
What are biotics?
The term is typically used to describe probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics.
Probiotics are live beneficial microbes that support digestion, immunity, and rumen stability.
Prebiotics are non-digestible compounds, such as fiber, that feed good bacteria and enhance gut balance.
Synbiotics are a combination of pro and prebiotics and work to boost probiotic survival and activity.
Here are the five key findings about the impact of biotics on cow health.
1. Improved milk yield and composition
There is scope for rumen-focused biotics to improve milk production and composition, according to research carried out by Nalla et al. (2022). Probiotics can enhance feed digestibility, optimize nitrogen flow, and increase the production of volatile fatty acids – all factors that contribute to stronger milk production.
In addition, potent prebiotics like dextrin may also boost milk production, based on findings from a Japanese trial.
All this suggests that therapies with biotics that stabilize rumen fermentation can boost digestibility and increase milk solids, particularly under high production diets.
2. Better rumen health
Lactate utilizers and certain yeast strains can be used as add-ons to reduce subacute ruminal acidosis risk and support fiber digestion, according to research.
Across two papers led by Nocek (2006 and 2002), researches concluded that supplementation with lactate-utilizing bacteria such as M. elsdenii can help mitigate acidosis in animals on high-concentrate diets by reducing ruminal lactic acid levels and stabilizing the pH.
Improved fiber digestibility can also lead to reduced methane emissions per unit of milk
3. Reduced risk of mastitis
Both probiotics and prebiotics can play a role in udder health. Wang et al. 2024 found that probiotics could treat mastitis in dairy cattle by improving gastrointestinal microbiome (GM) health. Dysbiosis in the GM could directly induce or aggravate mastitis, potentially through the entero-mammary gland axis, the researchers concluded.
Meanwhile, Yu et al. 2025 discovered that prebiotics can be effective in preventing mastitis: but more research is needed to understand how this happens.
4. Improved fertility and uterine immunity
Probiotics are showing to be ‘a promising alternative therapy’ for uterine disease in cattle, according to the review. Specifically, probiotics containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improve fertility and enhance uterine immunity.
Adnane et al. 2024 found that administrating these formulations can boost uterine immunity, particularly during the postpartum period.
5. Better calf health
Biotics can replace the use of antibiotics in certain youngstock health management strategies.
For example, probiotic additives can be used to prevent scours and improve performance; or to boost microbiome health and improve weight gain and immunity along the way, as Amin and Seifert 2021 found.
Source:
Chowdhury, M.R., Hassan, M. & Shimosato, T. Gut health management in livestock: roles of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in growth, immunity, and microbiota modulation. Vet Res Commun 49, 361 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10927-1
