2023_negative_energy_balance_fresh cows (1)

Fresh Cows and Metabolic Disorders

Overview of Fresh Cows

• Fresh cows are those in the transition phase, typically 0 to 40 days in milk (DIM).

• Critical period where they may experience

  • Changes in dry matter intake (DMI)

  • Fluctuations in milk yield (MY)

  • Alterations in body weight (BW) and body condition (BC)

  • Period of negative energy balance (NEB)

Student Responsibilities

• Explain or diagram the following regarding fresh cows:

  • Changes in DMI, MY, BW, and BC

  • Define negative energy balance and its implications

  • Explain lipolysis and its association with:

    • Body condition score (BCS)

    • Body weight variants

    • Increased risk of ketosis and fatty liver

  • Understand metabolic disorders:

    • Ketosis: Overview, causes, prevention, and treatment

    • Fatty Liver: Overview, causes, prevention, and treatment

    • Displaced Abomasum: Overview, causes, prevention, and treatment

• Management of fresh cows regarding dietary encourage/discourage for:

  • Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC) and starch

  • Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF)

  • Crude Protein (CP)

  • Ether Extract (EE)

  • Overall energy content

Nutritional Changes Around Calving

Events Surrounding Calving

• DMI sharply decreases near calving.

• Monitoring nutrient demands immediately post-calving is crucial.

Milk Yield Profile of Holsteins

• Profile of typical Holstein milk yield:

  • Early phases < 40 DIM: 98 - 124 pounds milk/day

  • Peaks in yield around 1 to 100 DIM.

DMI and MY Patterns

• MY increases immediately post-calving, while DMI rises gradually, lagging behind for weeks.

Body Condition Score (BCS) After Calving

Suggested BCS Ranges

• At Calving (0 DIM): BCS goal of 3.0 to 3.25.

• Early Lactation (1-30 DIM): BCS goal remains same.

• Peak Milk (31-100 DIM): Goal transitions to 2.5 to 2.75.

• Mid Lactation (101-200 DIM): BCS goal is 2.75 to 3.0.

• Late Lactation (201-300 DIM): Return to 3.0 to 3.25.

• Dry Off (>300 DIM): Maintain BCS of 3.0 to 3.25.

Energy Balance Concept

Energy Balance Equation

• Calories In – Calories Burned = Energy Balance

• Understanding different outcomes of energy balance:

  • Weight Gain: Positive Energy Balance

  • Weight Maintenance: Balanced Energy

  • Weight Loss: Negative Energy Balance

Negative Energy Balance (NEB)

• Definition: Condition where intake doesn’t meet energy requirements.

• Associated Disorders:

  • Ketosis

  • Fatty liver syndrome

• Biochemical Changes:

  • Reduced blood glucose and insulin

  • Utilization of body fat through lipolysis to meet energy deficit.

Duration of NEB

• NEB persists for at least 21 days post-calving until DMI compensates for milk energy output.

Metabolic Disorders in Early Lactation

Ketosis

• What: Elevated levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ketones, low blood glucose; lethargy or off feed.

• When/Why: Commonly occurs in the first 30-60 DIM due to NEB and increased glucose demand.

• Detection methods: Urine keto-stix.

• Treatments: IV dextrose, oral propylene glycol.

• Prevention: Avoid overconditioning dry cows.

Fatty Liver Syndrome (FLS)

• Known as Fatty Cow Syndrome; correlated with elevated blood FFA concentrations.

• Accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells impairs gluconeogenesis.

• Prevention is critical, effective treatment is lacking.

Displaced Abomasum (DA)

• High prevalence within the first month post-calving; LDA more common than RDA.

• Treatment involves maintaining DMI and access to water; prevent hypocalcemia.

Benchmarks for Fresh Cows

• Disease incidence benchmarks to monitor:

  • Hypocalcemia: <2% normal; alarm >5%

  • Displaced Abomasum: <3% normal; alarm >6%

  • Ketosis: Clinical <2%, Subclinical <15%

  • Retention of Placenta: <5% normal; alarm >10%

Feeding and Managing Fresh Cows

• Expectations during fresh phase regarding DMI, MY, BW, and BCS.

• Importance of managing pre-fresh conditions to mitigate post-calving issues.