In the initial weeks of lactation, the typical Irish dairy cow physically cannot eat enough to meet her requirements for milk production and maintenance. Yes, her capacity for intake grows as her time in milk progresses, but it lags around a fortnight behind where it needs to be for the initial months. In other words, her peak intake comes two weeks after her peak daily milk production.
What does this mean? Chances are that many late autumn- and winter-calving cows are in a slight negative energy balance (NEB) at present – putting out more than they can take in. Provided it is indeed slight and relatively short-lived, there should be minimal residual effects.
However, excessive NEB is something that must be avoided. Fertility is the cornerstone of seasonal milking systems and it can be negatively affected in NEB.
Looking out for it
In a severe state of NEB, a cow will begin to mobilise large quantities of her own fat reserves in an effort to keep up with energy demands. Often, this fat is broken down faster than her system can utilise it and substances called ketone bodies begin to accumulate in the bloodstream – a condition called ketosis.
Cows with ketosis usually display one or more of the following symptoms:
Rapid condition loss.Lethargy.Decreased food intake.Decreased milk production.Sweet-smelling breath.Excitable or aggressive behaviour.Walking in circles.Holding head low.Eating/licking strange materials.Poor coat condition.High milk fat-to-protein ratio (>1.5:1).Often, ketosis can exist within a herd sub-clinically (no visual symptoms). Indeed, while the incidence of full-blown ketosis runs at <5% among Irish cows, the prevalence of sub-clinical ketosis is estimated to be multiples of this.
Prevention and cure
As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. Calving condition is critically important here. Too fat and her post-calving feed intake will be sub-optimal – not ideal when we’re trying to boost it. We want her calving at a score of 3 to 3.25.
However, the calving condition ship has sailed. Cows with ketosis now should ideally be drenched with 300 to 500ml of propylene glycol for two to four days. This will give their energy levels a lasting boost and take pressure off their systems. Remove these animals from anywhere there is competition for feed space until they return to health.
In the initial weeks of lactation, the typical Irish dairy cow physically cannot eat enough to meet her requirements for milk production and maintenance. Yes, her capacity for intake grows as her time in milk progresses, but it lags around a fortnight behind where it needs to be for the initial months. In other words, her peak intake comes two weeks after her peak daily milk production.
What does this mean? Chances are that many late autumn- and winter-calving cows are in a slight negative energy balance (NEB) at present – putting out more than they can take in. Provided it is indeed slight and relatively short-lived, there should be minimal residual effects.
However, excessive NEB is something that must be avoided. Fertility is the cornerstone of seasonal milking systems and it can be negatively affected in NEB.
Looking out for it
In a severe state of NEB, a cow will begin to mobilise large quantities of her own fat reserves in an effort to keep up with energy demands. Often, this fat is broken down faster than her system can utilise it and substances called ketone bodies begin to accumulate in the bloodstream – a condition called ketosis.
Cows with ketosis usually display one or more of the following symptoms:
Rapid condition loss.Lethargy.Decreased food intake.Decreased milk production.Sweet-smelling breath.Excitable or aggressive behaviour.Walking in circles.Holding head low.Eating/licking strange materials.Poor coat condition.High milk fat-to-protein ratio (>1.5:1).Often, ketosis can exist within a herd sub-clinically (no visual symptoms). Indeed, while the incidence of full-blown ketosis runs at <5% among Irish cows, the prevalence of sub-clinical ketosis is estimated to be multiples of this.
Prevention and cure
As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. Calving condition is critically important here. Too fat and her post-calving feed intake will be sub-optimal – not ideal when we’re trying to boost it. We want her calving at a score of 3 to 3.25.
However, the calving condition ship has sailed. Cows with ketosis now should ideally be drenched with 300 to 500ml of propylene glycol for two to four days. This will give their energy levels a lasting boost and take pressure off their systems. Remove these animals from anywhere there is competition for feed space until they return to health.
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