Electrolyzed alkaline water may have some antioxidation and rumen stabilization properties. This pilot study examined the influence of electrolyzed water on milk production, water intake, and blood physiology over a 12 wk period in 62 lactating Holstein cows (81 ± 56 DIM). Cows were blocked on parity, milk production and DIM and randomly assigned to electrolyzed water or untreated well water (CON) following a 2-wk covariate period. Overall covariate adjusted milk yield was not different between the groups, but a significant interaction between water source and initial DIM (P<0.03) was apparent. Cows <60 DIM consuming electrolyzed water produced 2.1 kg/d more milk over the course of the study than the CON cows. Cows >60 DIM at the beginning of the study consuming the electrolyzed water produced less milk than cows consuming CON water (-0.8 kg/d). It appeared that cows required a 4-6 wk period to adapt to the alkaline water. Water coliform counts were consistently lower from electrolyzed water. Consuming electrolyzed water may enhance production in early lactation and increase milk fat content.
J. D. Ferguson*, D. Remsberg, and Z. Wu, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square.