Water Soluble Vitamins for Dairy Cattle

Research on effects of water soluble vitamins when fed to dairy cows and field supplementation of some water soluble vitamins has increased markedly in the past few years. In research studies, biotin supplementation (20 mg/ day) has consistently improved hoof health of cows and often increased milk production. Supplementation of niacin, although common, has little effect on milk production unless the supplementation rate is 12 g/day and then the response is often not profitable. Adding rumenprotected choline (50 g/day) often increases milk production in early lactation and the average response is profitable. Research on folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C for dairy cows is continuing, but at the present time, inadequate data are available to recommend routine supplementation.