Yucca schidigera supplement alters the rumen microbiome in dairy cows

Natural plant compounds including phenols and saponins are used to supplement livestock diets to improve feed efficiency, production, health or environmental impact. In the present study, a commercial whole dried and chopped Yucca schidigera (Mohave Yucca) supplement was added with rate of inclusion (ROI) (0, 5, 15 and 30 g) to a grass and maize silage based diet and fed to four multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows as part of a 4 x 4 Latin square experimental design.