Don't underestimate a mother's influence. Especially when it comes to the microbiomes of her reproductive tract and rumen

A new study in the UW Department of Animal Science suggests that investigation of maternal microbiomes in cattle may yield promising results for producers looking to improve herd health, reproductive efficiency, and even feed efficiency. In November 2020, graduate student Madison Shults and assistant professor Hannah Cunningham-Hollinger took vaginal swabs and rumen fluid samples from a group of cows and heifers at the Laramie Research and Extension Center. Open (not bred) cows also received uterine swabs. This was the first step in a study targeting two questions: Does the reproductive tract...