Orego-Stim®

Orego-Stim® For Calves

Reduce the environmental loading of viable Cryptosporidium spores with Orego-Stim®.

This product has become a lot more than some sort of herbalist's concoction used by some of our "off the grid population".
Now the proofs are without question and the published trials and adoption across the species is gaining pace. Orego-Stim® is now exported all over the world and was the reason for a £1 million investment in a manufacturing site in the UK.
Extensive research has shown that oregano oil essential oil can be used to great benefit to help support and maintain immune function, but there is also evidence to show that it may help to reduce Cryptosporidias' viable spore shedding by around 60%!

Using 10ml per calf per day for the first 10 days of life followed by a "holding" amount of 2ml per calf per day until weaning is recommended. The first 10 days is the key period and some farmers are reporting good results without using the extra holding 2ml!
When applied over a series of batches of calves, followed by routine cleaning of pens and equipment, the use of Orego-Stim® may help to reduce viable spores to a minimum, effectively eliminating any significant challenge, provided cleaning routines are maintained.
The monogastric nature of the baby calf also means that it is suitable to use whilst it is developing a viable rumen. There are other benefits to using Orego-Stim®, one is improvement of appetite and that property has multiple benefits. (See trial data below)

Studies have shown that ruminants are attracted to the grazing of natural herbs, and where these occur in permanent pastures they are often selected as a priority. Human beings are aware of the strong aromas from many of these herbs when they are added to our food. The perception of cows and calves is that these herbs are very palatable.

The Effect of Orego-Stim® on Cryptosporidia in Calves Summary

Cryptosporidia is the major cause of calf scour (57% of cases) in early life with significant cost to the dairy industry (£32-£154/calf (Gunn, 1997)).
Orego-Stim® Liquid, when included in milk at 10ml per calf per day for 10 days, significantly reduced Cryptosporidia shedding improved of dairy calves.

Background

Cryptosporidia is a major cause of calf diarrhoea (scour) causing long term damage to the gut lining, depressed nutrient absorption, poor growth performance and can ultimately prove fatal, (Thomson, 2017).

Peak shedding of oocysts is in the first 2-3 weeks of life, so early intervention to prevent this significant protozoan from multiplying is essential.
Orego-Stim® is a high quality phytogenic eubiotic containing 100% natural oregano oil.

Trial Design

A pilot study was carried out at the University of Reading in the UK. 10 male Holstein dairy calves were assigned to one of two applications at 2 days of age; Control with no supplements in the milk, Orego-Stim® with 10ml/calf/day of Orego-Stim® Liquid added to the milk. The milk used was unsaleable, waste milk from the University dairy herd. Orego-Stim® was included in both the morning and evening feeding (5ml in 2.5 litres milk) for the first 10 days only. All calves then received the same milk and concentrates until weaning at day 60. Calves were individually housed until 21 days of age then housed together in a straw pen until the end of the trial at day 78. Faecal samples were taken on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 56 and 70 for analysis of Cryptosporidia shedding.

Results

• Cryptosporidia was only detected in faeces between days 3 – 21.
• Calves offered 10ml Orego-Stim® Liquid had lower counts of Cryptosporidia in faeces (p=0.02).
• Calves offered 10ml Orego-Stim® Liquid numerically gained more weight in the first 10 days (597g/d vs 411g/d; p=0.11).
• Orego-Stim® Liquid was shown to have a significant benefit in reducing Cryptosporidia shedding in dairy calves offered waste milk.

(a,b superscripts denote differences (p<0.02).
Fig 1. Effect of Orego-Stim® on Cryptosporidia shedding in dairy calves. (Adapted from Ray et al., 2019, unpublished)

Calf Growth Response

Orego-Stim® For Transition Cows

Generally, the trials show benefits in antioxidant status by offering 10 grams of Orego-Stim® powder per day from 21 days pre-calving to 21 days post-calving.

This improved immune status and reduced somatic cell counts in one trial. In another analysis of the trial, they were able to show a significant milk yield response due primarily to earlier increased intakes over cows fed the same diet but without the addition of the Orego-Stim®. (See trial data below)

Summary

• Transition cows are at a greater risk of disease or involuntary culling following any disruption to eating and social interactions.
• In this study (Stivanin et al., 2019) Orego-Stim® supplementation of transition dairy cows' diets resulted in a higher milk production post-calving and fewer aggressive episodes pre-calving.
• Therefore, Orego-Stim® may support enhanced welfare through the transition period.

Background

• Transition cows are particularly susceptible to increased disease challenge following disruption to feeding and social behaviours.
• This trial was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Orego-Stim® or green tea extract on feed intake, feeding and social behaviours and health status of transition dairy cows.
• Orego-Stim® Powder is a high quality eubiotic composed of 100% natural oregano essential oil.

Trial Design

A trial was carried out at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the hot season, from October 2015 to January 2016. 24 Jersey cows (approx. 400kg bodyweight, 2.7 lactations) were split into one of three groups. Control (standard diet with no additives), OS (10g per day of Orego-Stim® Powder) or GT (5g per day Green Tea extract), from 21 days pre-calving to 21 days post-calving. Bodyweight and body condition were measured weekly, with production and feeding behaviour assessed daily. Animal health and welfare was continually monitored.

Results

• There was no effect of OS or GT on bodyweight or body condition at any time.
• Pre-calving, cows offered OS visited the feed trough less often but also had fewer visits without eating (Figure 1) and tended to spend more time ruminating than other groups.
• Cows receiving OS and GT had fewer aggressive episodes than Control cows (Figure 1).
• Post-calving, cows receiving OS tended to have a higher dry matter intake, milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield than Control (p<0.10) cows and significantly higher than GT supplemented cows (Figure 2).
• Overall, none of the groups exhibited a significant effect on cow health, however, when there was a health issue, cows receiving OS took 8 days longer to show any symptoms compared to the other groups.
• Orego-Stim® may support enhanced welfare during the transition period.

Trial Results Data

Figure 1. Number of visits to the trough, number of visits without eating and number of aggressive interactions per day pre-calving. Different letters indicate significant difference (p<0.01).

Figure 2. Dry Matter Intake (DMI) (kg DM/day), milk yield (kg/day) and energy-corrected milk yield (ECM) (kg/day) post-calving. Different letters indicate significant difference (p<0.01).

The Effect of Orego-Stim® on the Antioxidant Status of Transition Dairy Cows

Summary

• The transition period pre- and post-calving is a stressful time for the dairy cow.
• Natural plant extracts may help maintain antioxidant status and support immune function.
• In this study (Vizzotto et al., 2021) cows fed Orego-Stim® had lower somatic cell counts and reduced levels of some oxidative stress biomarkers, leading to greater milk production.

Background

• Transition cows are more susceptible to impaired immunity and increased disease prevalence, enhancing the chance of early culling or lower productivity.
• A high somatic cell count (SCC) in milk is an indicator of infection and can also alter mineral flow in the udder, causing a higher pH and a lower acidity. This can reduce levels of ionic calcium, which is vital for the calf, and reduce milk production.
• Antioxidants can help to reduce incidence of oxidative stress, supporting performance and immune function.
• This study was undertaken to assess the effect of plant extracts on the antioxidant status of transition cows and milk quality.
• Orego-Stim® Powder is a high quality eubiotic composed of 100% natural oregano oil.

Trial Design

A trial was carried out at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the hot season, from October 2015 to January 2016. 24 Jersey cows (approx. 400kg bodyweight, 2.7 lactations) were split into one of three groups. Control (standard diet with no additives), OS (10g per day of Orego-Stim® Powder) or GT (5g per day Green Tea extract), from 21 days pre-calving to 21 days post-calving. Bodyweight and body condition were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken on days -28, 0, 2 and 28 relative to calving date in order to determine levels of the oxidative stress biomarker dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF) and the levels of antioxidant Glutathione (GSH) present. From days 5-21 of lactation, milk was analysed daily for markers of quality, such as SCC, as well as measuring total milk yield.

Results

• Cows offered Orego-Stim® had a lower milk SCC (Figure 1), as well as higher ionic calcium levels and more acidic milk with a lower pH.
• GSH levels were higher in cows receiving plant extracts, indicating increased antioxidant activity (Figure 2).
• Pre- and post-calving, DCF in red blood cells was lower in cows fed Orego-Stim®, indicating a reduced level of oxidative stress and therefore an improved antioxidant status (Figure 3).