Impact of Pasteurization on Dairy Calves’ Gut Microbiota

By comparing microbial colonization and growth metrics, this research sheds light on how pasteurization influences calf gut health and highlights potential strategies for optimizing calf nutrition.

During the early stages of life, calves are highly susceptible to gastrointestinal infections and diseases, making the development of a balanced gut microbiota essential for their health. Diet plays a crucial role in shaping the microbial communities in the gut, with milk being the primary nutrient source. Pasteurization is widely used in dairy farms to ensure the safety of milk by eliminating pathogens. However, this process also affects the microbial composition of milk, potentially limiting the transfer of beneficial microbes to the calf’s gut. Previous research has focused on the impact of pasteurized colostrum, but there is limited data on the long-term effects of pasteurized milk on gut microbiota development. This study addresses this gap by investigating how pasteurized and non-pasteurized milk affect the growth performance and hindgut microbiome of dairy calves.

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dairybusiness.com

Dec. 1, 2025