An Nut 4 - Dairy Cattle

What is Rumen Acidosis?

Metabolic Disease when the pH of the Rumen falls below 5.5, causing the Acid-producing Bacteria to take over. The Bacteria produce more Acid, which gets absorbed through the Rumen Wall

What causes Rumen Acidosis?

Feeding a High Level of Rapidly Digestible Carbohydrate (Mainly feeding Concentrates over Forage)

What are the Symptoms of Rumen Acidosis?

• Reduced Feed Intake

• Poor Body Condition

• Weight Loss

• Lethargy

What are the 4 Metabolic Conditions for Dairy Cattle?

• Acidosis

• Milk Fever

• Displaced Abomasum

• Ketosis

What is Milk Fever?

Metabolic Disease from a Low Blood Calcium Level (Hypocalcemia)

Mainly occurs in Dairy Cows close to Calving

What are the Symptoms of Milk Fever?

• Agitation

• Tremor in Head and Limb Muscles

• Sitting position

• Kink in Neck

What is the cause of Milk Fever?

Milk and Colostrum production drain Calcium from the Blood, and Cows are unable to replace the Calcium quickly.

Which Cow is more likely to face Milk Fever, a High Producing Cow or a Low Producing Cow? Why?

High Producer

The fall in their Blood Calcium level is greater

What is Displaced Abomasum?

When the Abomasum (which normally lies on the Bottom) gets filled with Gas and rises to the Top of the Abdomen

Usually occurs after Calving

What is the cause of Displaced Abomasum?

During Pregnancy, the Uterus displaces the Abomasum

What are the Symptoms of Displaced Abomasum?

• Loss of Appetite

• Drop in Milk Yield

• Reduced Rumination

• Mild Diarrhea

What is the Treatment for Displaced Abomasum?

1. The Abomasum gets tacked to the Body Wall

   OR

2. Casting and Rolling the Animal onto its Back to float the Abomasum back into place

How to Prevent Displaced Abomasum?

• Ensure Dry Matter intake is maintained in Early Lactation

• Ensure Cattle are not too fat at Calving

• Feed High Quality feeds with Good Quality Forage

• Feed a total mixed Ration instead of Concentrates

• Minimize changes between Late Dry and Early Lactation Ration

What is Ketosis?

Metabolic Disorder that occurs when Energy Demands exceed Energy Intake and result in Negative Energy Balance

What is the cause of Ketosis?

When Large Amounts of Body Fat are utilized as an Energy Source to support production, Fat gets Mobilized faster than the Liver can properly Metabolize it. Ketone Production then exceeds Ketone Utilization.

When does Ketosis usually occur in Dairy Cattle? Why?

During the first few weeks of Lactation

The Cow is not able to Eat Enough to match the Energy Loss in Milk

How to Treat Ketosis?

Restore the Glucose in the Body with a quick-acting Glucose Supplement and then a Long Term Supply of Glucose

How much Feed may a Dairy Cow require at Peak Production?

3-10 times as much Protein and Energy (as compared to requirements during Gestation)

A Cows Appetite usually Lags behind her Nutrient Requirements. True or False?

True

What is the Challenge for a Dairy Feeding Program?

To meet the Cow’s Nutrient Needs while Minimizing Body Weight Loss and Digestive Upsets and Maintaining Cow Health

When do Dairy Cows reach Peak Milk Production?

6-9 Weeks after Calving

When do Dairy Cows reach their Maximum Daily Dry Matter intake?

12-15 Weeks after Calving

How long are most Cows in a Negative Energy Balance?

For 8-10 Weeks after Calving

How do Dairy Cows make up for their Nutrient Deficits?

Borrowing from Body Stores

How much Weight do Dairy Cows lose during Early Lactation? How much Milk does this support to be Produced?

90-135 kg

700-900 kg of MIlk

After Optimal Dry Matter intake is achieved for Dairy Cows, what does her Intake follow?

Her Production Requirements

Intake will Decrease as Production Decreases

Dairy Cows tend to Consume more than she needs during Late Lactation. True or False? Why?

True

This allows her to Regain the Body Weight she lost during Early Lactation

What is most of the Dairy Cow’s Weight Gain during the Dry Period accounted for by?

Fetal Growth

What is the purpose of giving Dairy Cows a Bovine Somatotropin Injection?

Allows for a 10% Increase in Production

We give Dairy Cows a bST so they will not Experience another period of Negative Energy Balance. True or False? Why?

False

The bST Injection may cause them to have another period of Negative Energy Balance

If a Dairy Cow is given a bST Injection, how should Dry Matter intake change?

Dry Matter intake must increase 2-3% to supply Nutrients needed for Increased Production

What is Phase 1 for Dairy Cow Lactation and Gestation?

• First 10 Weeks of Lactation

• Peak Production occurs

• Body Stores are used to make up for Nutrient Intake Deficits

What is Phase 2 for Dairy Cow Lactation and Gestation?

• Occurs 10 weeks Postpartum

• Maximum Dry Matter Intake

• Intake is in Balance with Requirements

What is Phase 3 for Dairy Cow Lactation and Gestation?

• During Late Lactation

• Intake exceeds Nutrient Requirements for Production

• Body Stores are Restored

What is Phase 4 for Dairy Cow Lactation and Gestation?

• Dry Period

• Period for any final Regain of Body Weight

• Involution of the Mammary Tissue

• Regeneration of Secretory Tissue in the Udder

What is Phase 5 for Dairy Cow Lactation and Gestation?

• Dry Period and Transition Period

• Last 1-3 Weeks before Cow gives Birth again

• Increase Grain Intake to prepare the Rumen

What is the Optimum Dry Period length?

6-8 Weeks

Dry Periods can be shorter than 40 days. True or False? Why?

False

Dry Periods shorter than 40 Days do not allow enough time for Udder Regeneration and may cause a Decrease in Production during the next Lactation

What is a Dry Period?

Time for Cows to Regenerate new Secretory Tissue and replace lost Body Condition

What changes occur in the Udder during the Dry Period?

• Active Involution

• Steady State Involution

• Lactogenesis plus Colostrogenesis

What is Active Involution?

Completed 30 days into the Dry Period

Milk secreting Tissue is Reabsorbed

What is Steady State Involution?

Can occur Indefinitely

Mammary Gland remains in a Collapsed State

What is Lactogenesis plus Colostrogenesis?

Begins 15-20 Days Pre-Partum

Involves the Onset of Lactation and the Secretion of Colostrum

What do Dry-Cow Feeding Programs emphasize?

Maintaining Body Condition

When do Dairy Cows convert Feed Energy to Body Tissue most Efficiently?

Late Lactation

If a Dairy Cow is still Thin at Drying Off, what must occur?

Replenish Body Stores and Provide for Fetal Growth

What is the Ideal Body Condition Score for Dairy Cows at Calving (on 1-5 Scale)? Why?

3.5

Ideal for High Milk Yield, High Fat Test in Milk, and Reproductive Performance

What can a Dry Cow’s Nutrient Requirements be met with by itself?

Forage

You can Feed a Dry Cow Legume Grass Hay by itself. True or False? Why?

False

You can only feed the combination of Legume Grass Hay and Corn Silage (with some Vitamins and Phosphorous). It will not meet Nutrient Requirements on its own.

What are the Considerations for a Dry Cow’s Ration?

• Minimum of 1% of Body Weight as Long Stem Dry Forage (Preferably Grass Hay)

• Free Choice Feeding of Corn Silage must be AVOIDED

• Grain should be Limited to the amount needed to meet Energy and Protein Needs

Why should Feeding Free Choice of Corn Silage to Dry Cows be avoided?

It leads to Excessive Energy Intake and increases the likelihood of a Displaced Abomasum and Fat Cow Syndrome

What causes Fat Cow Syndrome?

Consuming excess Energy from Grain and/or Corn Silage

What is Fat Cow Syndrome?

Cow has High Blood Lipid Levels and Fatty Livers

Cows are likely to have Calving Difficulties, Displaced Abomasums, Ketosis, etc

A Cow being fed Hay or Haylage is more likely to have Fat Cow Syndrome than a Cow being free choice fed Corn Silage. True or False? Why?

False

A Cow being fed Hay or Haylage is less likely to have Fat Cow Syndrome

If Corn Silage must be fed to Cows, how much should they receive?

9.5-11 kg per day with a Protein and Ca-P Supplement

Nutrient Requirements of Bred Heifers during Late Gestation are greater than that of Dry Cows. True or False? Why?

True

The Heifers are still Growing

What must Bred Heifers be fed during the last 3-4 Months of Gestation?

Forages along with some Grain

Heifers are usually fed in Groups of Similar Age or Size. True or False?

True

What is the purpose of making Dairy Cow Diet changes during the last weeks before Parturition?

To help the Rumen Microflora adapt to the Higher Energy Diets needed Postpartum

What is fed to Dairy Cows during the last weeks before Parturition?

“Steaming Up” which minimizes Risk of Milk Fever and Ketosis

• Small amounts of all Ingredients of the Lactation Ration

• Gradually increase Concentrate

When do Dairy Cows experience a sharp Decrease in Total Dry Matter intake?

24-48 hours before Calving

Why is the Period from Parturition until Peak Milk Production Critical for a Dairy Cow?

Because it is the time when the Appetite lags behind Nutritional Requirements causing a Negative Energy Balance

What are the Objectives during Phase 1 of Dairy Cow Lactation and Gestation?

• Increase feed intake as rapidly as possible

• After Calving, increase Concentrate intake to 0.5-0.7 kg per day

• Forage to Concentrate Ratio is 55:45 or 50:50

What does a Successful Phase 1 Feeding Program for Dairy Cows do?

• Maximizes Peak Milk Yield

• Utilizes some Body Weight as an Energy Source

• Minimizes Ketosis

• Returns Cows to a Positive Energy Balance by 8-10 weeks Postpartum

Dairy Cows can borrow a lot of Protein from Body Reserves. True or False?

False

So most of their Protein must be supplied in the Diet

What type of Proteins do Early Lactation Dairy Cows benefit from?

Rumen Bypass Proteins

Nonprotein Nitrogen Supplements will be efficiently used by Dairy Cows in Early Lactation. True or False?

False

Increasing the Energy Density of the Diet helps the Early Lactation Cow meet her Energy Requirements. True or False?

True

What are Higher Starch, Lower Fiber Diets likely to cause in Dairy Cows?

Acidosis, Digestive Upsets, and Milk Fat Depression

How much of the Diet Dry Matter for Dairy Cow should be Nonstructural Carbs like Starch and Sugar?

30-40%

What Feed can be used to replace High Starch Feeds for Dairy Cows?

Distiller’s Grain

What is the purpose of added Supplemental Dietary Fat to the Late Lactation Dairy Cow Diet?

Allows increased Energy Density and Maintain Adequate Fiber intake

How much Dry Hay should be in the Daily Ration of Dairy Cow Diets? Why?

At least 2.25 kg

To maintain normal Rumination and Digestion

Long Stem Hay is better than Chopped Hay for Dairy Cow Diets. True or False?

True

When should Maximum Dry Matter intake be achieved for Dairy Cows? Why?

As Early in Lactation as possible

Shifts Cows from a Negative to a Positive Energy Balance

Conception rates are greater for Cows in a Positive Energy Balance. True or False?

True

What % of the Dairy Cow’s Body Weight will Maximum Dry Matter intake reach?

3.5-4.5% of Body Weight

(Not unusual for Cows to consume more than 5% though)

Late Lactation is the easiest Dairy Cow Phase to manage. True or False? Why?

True

The Cow is Pregnant, Nutrient intake is exceeding Requirements, and Milk Production is declining

When can you replace the Dairy Cow’s Weight Loss from Early Lactation?

During Late Lactation

What are the Guidelines for estimating Nutrient Requirements for Dairy Cow Growth?

20% of Maintenance for 2 year olds

10% of Maintenance for 3 year olds

How can Producers minimize Feed Cost during Dairy Cow Late Lactation?

Increasing Forage to Concentrate Ratio to match Nutrient Needs to the Cow’s Milk Production and Body Condition

Utilize Non Protein Nitrogen

Why is Lower Protein Content needed for Dairy Cows during Late Lactation?

Protein to Energy Ratio needed for Weight Gain is less than the Ratio needed for Milk Production

Producers should use Bypass Proteins during Dairy Cow Late Lactation. True or False? Why?

False

They should use NPN. Bypass Proteins are used in Early Lactation when Production is higher

What is one of the greatest challenges Dairy Cow Producers have?

Getting the Cow to consume enough Energy

How can Dairy Cow Producers increase Energy intake?

• Increasing the Energy Density of the Diet

• Increasing readily fermentable Carbohydrates

• Increasing Dry Matter intake

How much Energy does Fat contain as compared to Carbs?

1 kg of Fat contains about 2.25 times as much Energy as 1 kg of Carbs

How can Energy Density be increased for Dairy Cow Diets?

Replacing portions of the Carbs in the Diets with Fat

This allows for an increase in Energy intake while avoiding excessive Starch or deficient Fiber

How much Fat are in Forage-Grain mixes?

2-4%

Dairy Cows can consume an Unlimited amount of Fat. True or False?

False

How much Fat can be in a Dairy Cow Diet?

5-7% of total Dry Matter

Dairy Cows can consume more than 8% Fat. True or False?

False

More than 8-10% of Fat in the Diet may reduce Feed intake, Fiber Digestibility, and cause Digestive Upset

Which sources of Fat are suitable for Dairy Cows?

• Soybean Seeds

• Sunflower Seeds

• Cottonseed

Which sources of Fat are not suitable for Dairy Cows?

• Soybean Oil

• Sunflower Oil

• Cottonseed Oil

• Corn Oil

• Fish Oil

Why should you be careful when moving a Dairy Cow from one group to another?

Cows have Social Dominance Hierarchies

Shifting can cause a lot of Stress, resulting in Lower Production

It is recommended to move Groups of Cows rather than Individual Cows. True or False?

True

What does the Health and Vigor of Calves at Birth mainly depend on?

The Nutrition of the Cow during the last 60 days before Parturition

Calves are born without a functioning Immune System. True or False?

True

This is why Colostrum is extremely important (gives Antibodies and acts as a Laxative)

How much Colostrum should Calves receive during their first 12 hours?

Minimum of 2 Quarts in 2 Feedings

How do Commercial Calves usually receive their Colostrum?

They are fed Colostrum that is kept separate from Market Milk. Good quality Colostrum is either fed Fresh or Frozen

Which Species are Newborn Calves most similar to? Why?

Monogastrics

Newborn Calves’ Rumen is not developed yet