Phytogenic Feed Additives in Dairy Ruminants: Effects on Animal Health, Performance, and Milk Quality

Dear Colleagues,

Phytogenic feed additives, including plant extracts, essential oils, and characterized plant-derived bioactive compounds, are being investigated for their potential to support dairy animal health and influence production performance and milk quality. Their practical value depends on reproducible evidence of efficacy, safety, and economic feasibility across dairy species and production systems.

This Special Issue aims to examine how phytogenic feed additives affect rumen microbial function, nutrient utilization, inflammatory and immune responses, and milk production and composition in dairy cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between chemical composition, biological mechanisms, and outcomes relevant to dairy production and processing.

Important knowledge gaps include variation in botanical materials and formulations, inconsistent responses across diets and physiological stages, and limited translation of laboratory findings into sustained benefits under farm conditions. Contributions addressing chemical standardization, dose–response relationships, microbial adaptation, and delivery systems tailored to the intended site of action are therefore encouraged. Studies evaluating animal safety, transfer of compounds or metabolites into milk, sensory properties, oxidative stability, and processing characteristics are also welcome. Where contributions to antimicrobial stewardship are proposed, these should be supported by relevant animal-health, antimicrobial-use, or resistance outcomes.

We invite original research articles, critical narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Mechanistic and in vitro studies should demonstrate clear relevance to dairy ruminants. Particular emphasis will be placed on well-designed in vivo investigations and studies under commercial conditions, including those reporting neutral or adverse effects. Together, these contributions should clarify where phytogenic feed additives offer practical value, identify limitations to their use, and establish priorities for further research.

Dr. Mihaela Niculae
Dr. Daniel Berean
Guest Editors

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