Effects of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on prepartum intake and postpartum intake and milk production of Jersey cows

Yeast cultures (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; YC) have been added to diets for dry and lactating dairy cows to attempt to improve ruminal fermentation, potentially increasing dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield. Jersey cows (14 primigravid and 25 multigravid) were fed total mixed rations prepartum and postpartum that were either supplemented or not supplemented with YC. The YC was a dried product that was top-dressed at 60 g/d for approximately 21 d prepartum and 140 d postpartum. The DMI was increased by YC during both the last 7 d prepartum (9.8 vs. 7.7 kg) and during the first 42 d of lactation (13.7 vs. 11.9 kg). The treatment-by-day interaction was significant for DMI during the first 21 d postpartum, indicating that cows supplemented with YC increased DMI more rapidly than did nonsupplemented cows. A significant treatment-by-day interaction indicated that cows supplemented with YC lost body weight less rapidly postpartum than did non-supplemented cows. A significant interaction of treatment by day indicated that cows supplemented with YC reached peak milk production more quickly than did nonsupplemented cows. However, total milk produced during the first 140 d of lactation did not differ. Concentrations of fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and urea N in milk, as well as somatic cell count, were not significantly affected by YC. Supplementation of YC increased DMI during the transition period and increased DMI postpartum.     

Effects of prepartum dry matter intake and forage percentage on postpartum performance of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this research was to determine whether different dry matter intakes (DMI) or forage percentages prepartum would have an impact on postpartum performance. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 41) received either high (H) or low (L) forage rations that were fed free choice (F) or restricted (R), i.e., HF, HR, LF, and LR. The L rations were higher in net energy of lactation and lower in neutral detergent fiber concentrations. After calving, all cows were fed the same ration ad libitum. Prepartum DMI were 8.0 for R versus 12.4 kg/d for F with LF greater than HF (14.1 vs. 10.7 kg/d). Prepartum treatments did not affect postpartum means for DMI, milk yield, milk protein percentage, body weight, body condition score, or plasma glucose concentrations (overall means 1 to 40 DIM were, respectively, 21.1 kg/d, 34.0 kg/d, 3.03%, 624 kg, 3.2, and 66 mg/dl). However, curves from 1 to 40 DIM showed that DMI and milk yield were slightly higher in early lactation in cows whose DMI had been restricted prepartum but mean milk fat percentage was lower (3.10 vs. 3.42%). Plasma NEFA were higher and insulin lower in H versus L before and after calving. High DMI prepartum, at best, showed no advantage over restricted feeding.     

Short communication: prepartum photoperiod effect on milk yield and composition in dairy cows

In a previous paper we analyzed the effects of day length, the daily change in day length, and heat load prevailing on test days, and on milk yield and composition of dairy cows in hot weather. For this analysis we used milk tests of three herds in Israel between 1994 and 1996. We used the same database to analyze the effects of the day length and the daily change in day length 3 wk prepartum. The prepartum day length effect was negatively related to milk yield and to milk fat and protein percentages. The daily change in day length was negative for milk yield and lactose percentage and positive for protein content and did not affect fat content. The difference of 4 h between the shortest and the longest day, plus the seasonal change in day length, accounted for the addition of 1.9 kg of milk/d for a cow calving after the shortest day compared with a cow calving after the longest day. The difference in milk composition between these two cows was estimated to be 0.27 and 0.08% of fat and protein, respectively.     

Effects of neutral detergent fiber and roughage source on dry matter intake and milk yield and composition of dairy cows

Data were from 20 experiments that utilized early to midlactation Holstein cows fed complete mixed diets or fed at constant forage:concentrate ratios. Within-cow diet comparisons (1688 cow-periods) were analyzed by least squares analysis of variance; mathematical model included experiment, cow in experiment, period, body weight, and source of roughage. Objectives were to determine relationships between neutral detergent fiber content of diet and milk yield and dry matter intake. Roughages and number of cow-periods were: sugarcane bagasse/silage (507), cottonseed hulls (504), corn silage (268), ground corrugated boxes (170), alfalfa/peanut hay (132), and others (107). Dry matter intake and estimated net energy intake had linear effects on milk yield and explained 21.6 and 24.0% of its residual variation; milk yield had curvilinear (quadratic) effect and explained 22.4% of dry matter intake residual variation. Interaction between neutral detergent fiber and source of roughage on milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk, and dry matter intake resulted in reductions of 5.6, 5.6, and 13% in residual variations. Results suggest neutral detergent (% of dry matter) has greater effect on dry matter intake than on milk yield and its use in formulating diets for dairy cows will be within roughage source.     

Effects of different transition diets on dry matter intake,milk production,and milk composition in dairy cows

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) change of cows offered diets differing in energy density in the last 4 wk of gestation and in the first 8 wk of lactation. Three diets (grass silage:straw, 75:25 on a dry matter basis (SS), grass silage (S), and grass silage + 3 kg concentrate daily (C)) precalving, and two diets (4 kg [LC] or 8 kg [HC] concentrate daily + grass silage ad libitum) postcalving were combined in a 3 x 2 factorial design. Sixty Holstein-Friesian cows entering their second lactation were blocked according to expected calving date and BCS into groups of six and were then allocated at random to the treatments. Individual feeding started 4 wk prior to the expected calving date and measurements were made until the end of the 8th wk of lactation. Mean DMI differed between each of the precalving treatments (7.4, 8.1, and 9.9 kg/d for SS, S, and C, respectively) in the precalving period. The DMI also differed between SS and C for wk 1 to 8 (13.5 and 14.2 kg/d) postcalving. Postcalving, milk (24.2, 26.2, and 28.2 kg/d), fat (933, 1063, and 1171 g/d), and protein (736, 797, and 874 g/d) yields differed between SS, S, and C, respectively. The BCS changes differed between SS and C (-0.09 and 0.12 of a BCS) in the precalving period and between SS and S compared with C (0.02, 0.06, and -0.26 of a BCS) for wk 1 to 8 postcalving. The BW change differed between SS and S compared with C in both wk 1 to 4 (-0.23, -0.37, and -1.25 kg/d) and wk 1 to 8 (0.18, 0.10, and -0.58 kg/ d) postcalving. The BW and BCS were lower at calving for cows on SS compared with C. The greater amount of concentrate supplement postcalving increased DMI, yields of milk, fat, and protein and decreased BW loss in the first 8 wk of lactation. In conclusion, these results indicate that a greater energy density diet in the final 4 wk of the dry period improves cow production in early lactation.     

Effect of milking frequency and pasture intake on milk yield and composition of late lactation cows.

Twenty-four monozygous twinsets in late lactation (> 210 d in milk) were used to examine the effects of feed restriction and milking frequency prior to drying off on milk yield and composition in a pastoral dairying system. Cows were assigned to one of four treatment groups for 26 d and were milked either twice or once daily and given either unrestricted or restricted access to feed. Dry matter intakes averaged 16 or 8 kg per cow per day, and diets comprised ryegrass and white clover pasture supplemented with 15% pasture silage. Feed restriction and once daily milking reduced milk yield and increased concentrations of milk fat and protein. Somatic cell count was increased by feed restriction only. Production losses caused by feed restriction were nearly threefold higher than were those for once daily milking. Yields of components that were mammary synthesized and serum derived were reduced by feed restriction, in accordance with milk volume reduction. Plasma lactose concentration increased with once daily milking only and indicated enhanced permeability of mammary tight junctions. Both feed restriction and once daily milking compromised milk quality, but increased leakage of serum components into milk via mammary tight junctions was deemed to occur only for once daily milking.     

Effect of prepartum energy intake and postpartum protein source on plasma somatotropin and insulin in lactating cows

Forty-two Holstein cows were fed a high or low energy diet during the last third of lactation, then fed soybean meal or dried brewers grains in the subsequent lactation. Responses of plasma somatotropin and insulin to arginine were measured at 6 and 15 wk postpartum. Basal somatotropin, response area, and peak value were greater at 6 versus 15 wk of lactation. Insulation responses were greater at 15 wk of lactation. At 6 wk, basal somatotropin was higher (6.1 versus 4.1 ng/ml) in cows fed the low energy diet prepartum. Shape of somatotropin response curves at 6 wk differed between prepartum energy intakes, but response areas were similar. Plasma insulin at 6 wk tended to be higher (1.0 versus .7 ng/ml) in cows fed dried brewers grains. At 15 wk, both insulin and somatotropin response areas tended to be smaller for cows fed dried brewers grains, and shape of insulin response curves differed between protein sources. Of the observed hormonal responses to diet, only 6-wk plasma somatotropin was associated with differences in production parameters. Somatotropin secretion during early lactation appears to respond to prepartum changes in the energy status.     

Effect of the amount of concentrate offered in an automated milking system on dry matter intake,milk yield,milk composition,ruminal digestion,and behavior of primiparous Holstein cows fed isocaloric diets

The objective of this study was to determine if the quantity of concentrate provided in an automated milking system (AMS) affects dry matter intake (DMI), attendance to the AMS, milk and milk component yield, feeding behavior, cow activity, and ruminal fermentation of lactating dairy cows fed isocaloric diets. Eight ruminally cannulated primiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Cows were housed in a freestall facility with a guided-traffic (feed-first) flow barn design. Treatments included 0.5, 2.0, 3.5, or 5.0 kg/d of dry matter of pellet in the AMS with an equivalent reduction of the same pellet in the partial mixed ration (PMR). Days 21 to 24 of each treatment period were used for DMI, milking performance (visits, yield, and composition), behavior, and ruminal pH determination, and d 25 to 28 were used for ruminal short-chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations as well as total-tract digestibility. As imposed, consumption of AMS pellet linearly increased, equating to 0.50, 2.00, 3.49, and 4.93 kg of dry matter/d for the 0.5, 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 kg/d treatments, respectively. Correspondingly, the standard deviation in AMS pellet intake among days linearly increased from 0.06 to 0.85 kg of dry matter/d as the quantity of concentrate in the AMS increased from 0.5 to 5.0 kg. The PMR DMI decreased linearly with increasing AMS concentrate allocation, but total DMI (PMR + AMS) was not affected (25.3 kg/d). As the AMS concentrate allocation increased, the selection against particles retained on an 18-mm sieve linearly increased and selection against particles retained on the pan decreased. Milking frequency (3.22 milkings/d), milk yield (37.5 kg/d), milk fat yield (1.43 kg/d), and milk protein yield (1.22 kg/d) were not affected; however, milk urea nitrogen concentration decreased linearly with increasing AMS concentrate. Ruminal pH averaged 6.18 and was not affected by AMS concentrate. Total ruminal short-chain fatty acid concentration was greatest when 3.5 kg of concentrate was allocated in the AMS and ruminal ammonia decreased linearly with increasing AMS concentrate. Time spent lying, the number of lying bouts, and average bout duration were not affected by treatment. These data indicate that increasing the quantity of concentrate in the AMS increases daily variability in AMS concentrate intake while decreasing PMR intake without affecting voluntary visits to the AMS and milk or milk component yield. As such, under isocaloric dietary settings, increasing the supply of pellet in the AMS is not likely to affect voluntary visits to the AMS, milk and milk component yields, or ruminal fermentation.     

Effects of intrajugular glucose infusion on feed intake,milk yield,and metabolic responses of early postpartum cows fed diets varying in protein and starch concentration

Effects of glucose infusion on feed intake, milk production, and metabolic responses of early postpartum cows fed diets varying in starch and protein concentration were evaluated by utilizing a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by body condition score and 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield and randomly assigned at calving to 1 of 4 treatments. Treatments were continuous intrajugular infusion of glucose (GI) or isotonic saline (SI), and diets containing high starch, low crude protein (HSLP) or high crude protein, low starch (HPLS) concentrations. Treatments were initiated at the first scheduled feeding following parturition and lasted 12 d. The GI reduced cumulative dry matter intake and tended to reduce daily dry matter intake and meal size for HPLS but not HSLP compared with SI. The GI increased cumulative milk yield by 39 kg/12 d compared with SI by increasing it for HSLP but not HPLS. The HPLS treatment tended to increase loss of body condition from 0.65 to 0.82 body condition score units/12 d compared with HSLP. Consistent with this, HPLS increased plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, liver triglyceride, milk fat concentration and yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and milk urea nitrogen compared with HSLP. Overall, the GI-HPLS treatment reduced feed intake by reducing meal size. The GI-HPLS may have reduced meal size by the independent or additive effects of (1) decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and promoting oxidation of acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), (2) elevated plasma nonesterified fatty acids from HPLS increasing the pool of acetyl CoA available to be oxidized, and (3) the HPLS diet increasing urea synthesis, which also provides the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate fumarate to promote oxidation of acetyl CoA.     

Effects of hot,humid weather on milk temperature,dry matter intake,and milk yield of lactating dairy cows

Lactating cows were exposed to moderate and hot, humid weather to determine the effect of increasing ambient temperature, relative humidity, or temperature-humidity index (THI) on intake, milk yield, and milk temperature. Minimum and maximum temperatures averaged 17.9 and 29.5 degrees C (cool period) and 22.5 and 34.4 degrees C (hot period), and minimum and maximum THI averaged 63.8 and 76.6 (cool period) and 72.1 and 83.6 (hot period). Environmental conditions had minor effects on intake and milk yield during the cool period. During the hot period, the THI 2 d earlier and mean air temperature 2 d earlier had the greatest impact on milk yield and DMI, respectively. Both breeds maintained milk temperature within normal ranges during the cool period, but Holstein and Jersey p.m. milk temperatures averaged 39.6 and 39.2 degrees C during the hot period. Current day mean air temperature during the hot period had the greatest impact on cow p.m. milk temperature, and minimum air temperature had the greatest influence on a.m. milk temperature. Dry matter intake and milk yield declined linearly with respective increases in air temperature or THI during the hot period and milk temperature increased linearly with increasing air temperature. Dry matter intake and milk yield both exhibited a curvilinear relationship with milk temperature. Environmental modifications should target the effects of high temperatures on cow body temperature and should modify the environment at critical times during the day when cows are stressed, including morning hours when ambient temperatures are typically cooler and cows are not assumed to be stressed.     

Digestion,milk production,milk composition,and blood composition of dairy cows fed whole flaxseed

A total of 90 lactating Holstein cows averaging 628 kg (SE = 8) of body weight (BW) were allotted at calving to 30 groups of three cows blocked for similar calving dates to determine the effects of feeding whole untreated flaxseed on milk production and composition, fatty acid composition of blood and milk, and digestibility, and to determine whether flaxseed could substitute for other sources of fat such as Megalac and micronized soybeans. Cows were fed a total mixed diet based on grass and corn silage and fat supplements for ad libitum intake. The experiment was carried out from calving up to wk 16 of lactation. Cows within each block were assigned to one of the three isonitrogenous, isoenergetic, and isolipidic supplements based on either whole flaxseed (FLA), Megalac (MEG), or micronized soybeans (SOY). Intake of dry matter and change in BW were similar among diets. Cows fed FLA had greater milk yield than those fed MEG (35.7 vs. 33.5 kg/d) and there was no difference between cows fed FLA and those fed SOY (34.4 kg/d). Fat percentage was higher in the milk of cows fed MEG (4.14%) than in the milk of those fed FLA (3.81%) or SOY (3.70%), but milk protein percentage was higher for cows fed FLA (2.98%) than for those fed MEG (2.86%) and SOY (2.87%). Digestibilities of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and ether extract were lower for cows fed FLA than for those fed SOY and MEG. Retention of N was similar among diets. Feeding FLA resulted in the lowest omega-6-to-omega-3-fatty-acids ratio, which would improve the nutritive value of milk from a human health point of view. The data suggest that micronized soybeans and Megalac can be completely substituted by whole untreated flaxseed as the fat source in the diet of early lactating cows without any adverse effect on production and that flaxseed increased milk protein percentage and its omega-6-to-omega-3-fatty-acids ratio.     

A meta-analysis examining the relationship among dietary factors, dry matter intake, and milk and milk protein yield in dairy cows

This meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the impact of dietary components on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), and milk protein yield (MPY) in Holstein dairy cows. Diets (n=846) from 256 feeding trials published in Volumes 73 through 83 of the Journal of Dairy Science were evaluated for nutrient composition using 2 diet evaluation models: CPM Dairy (a computer program based on the principles of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System) and NRC (2001). Data were analyzed with and without the effect of stage of lactation as a dummy variable (<100 d in milk or > or =100 d in milk). A mixed model regression analysis was used to completely investigate the potential relationships among composition variables and DMI, MY, and MPY. Protein and carbohydrate fractions were the main components within the DMI models, and DMI played a dominant role in estimating MY and MPY. Inclusion of stage of lactation substantially improved the MY models but did not affect model fits or residual structure for DMI and MPY.     

Italian ryegrass silage in winter feeding of organic dairy cows: forage intake, milk yield and composition

BACKGROUND: Organic milk production aims at efficient use of home‐grown feeds, especially forages, to minimise the quantity of purchased feeds. In conventional agriculture, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is known for its high energy content and palatability, and the aim of the present study was to examine its suitability as feed for organic dairy cows. Therefore a feeding trial was conducted comparing a diet including 50% (of silage dry matter (DM)) of Italian ryegrass silage with a control diet based on grass/clover silage (a mixture of the second cut from permanent grassland and the second cut from a perennial clovergrass ley) alone. RESULTS: Inclusion of Italian ryegrass silage in the diet increased forage intake significantly (14.5 vs 13.4 kg DM in the control group) and concentrate intake did not differ, but milk yield was slightly lower (20.3 vs 21.0 kg) owing to the low energy and protein concentration of Italian ryegrass silage. CONCLUSION: Italian ryegrass was indeed found to be highly palatable, confirming in principle its suitability as feed for organic dairy cows. However, higher energy and protein concentrations in this forage would be necessary to translate the high intakes of Italian ryegrass silage into improved milk production as well. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of sixty-day milk yield on postpartum breeding performance in holstein cows

The relationship between breeding performance and postpartum milk yield was evaluated using data collected in a prospective field project from 33 New York Holstein herds. Herds selected were enrolled in the New York Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative program and received monthly or biweekly herd health visits from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Factors other than milk yield (e.g., postpartum reproductive disorders, inseminator, housing) that influence breeding performance were controlled in multiple regression analyses. Milk yield had a slight linear antagonistic relationship with conception at first service, services per conception, and days open but not with interval from parturition to first service, interval between first and second services, or interval between second and third services. Services per conception and days open increased by .009 and .6, respectively, for each 100-kg increase in cumulative milk yield during the first 60 d of lactation. Postpartum reproductive disorders, service method (artificial vs. natural), inseminator (farmer vs. technician), and calving interval of the previous lactation had more important relationships than milk yield with measures of breeding performance.     

Effects of postpartum milking strategy on plasma mineral concentrations and colostrum,transition milk,and milk yield and composition in multiparous dairy cows

The effects of postpartum milking strategy on plasma mineral concentrations, blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration, and colostrum, transition milk, and first monthly test milk yield and composition were evaluated in 90 multiparous Jersey and Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows from a commercial farm. Before first postpartum milking, cows were randomly assigned to the following milking strategies, implemented during the first 2 d postpartum: twice-a-day milking (M2, standard industry practice, milking every 12 h; n = 22), once-a-day milking (M1, milking every 24 h; n = 24), restricted milking (MR, 3-L milking every 12 h; n = 21), and delayed milking (MD, no milking for the first 24 h, and milking every 12 h afterward; n = 23). Blood samples for total plasma Ca, P, and Mg determination were collected from enrollment every 4 h up to 48 h, and at 3 d in milk. Blood BHB concentration was determined at 3 and 11 d in milk. Colostrum and transition milk yields were recorded, and samples were collected at each study milking for IgG and somatic cell count (SCC) determinations. Information for first monthly test milk yield and composition was obtained from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Statistical analyses were conducted using generalized multiple linear and Poisson regressions with Dunnett adjustment and M2 as reference group for mean comparisons. Overall, plasma Ca concentration within 48 h after enrollment was higher for MD (2.17 mmol/L), tended to be higher for MR (2.15 mmol/L), and was similar for M1 (2.09 mmol/L) compared with M2 cows (2.06 mmol/L). No statistically significant differences compared with M2 cows were observed for plasma P and Mg concentrations. Colostrum and transition milk and total Ca harvested within 48 h after enrollment were lower for M1, MR, and MD compared with M2 cows. The MD strategy prevented harvesting colostrum with >50 g of IgG/L. No statistically significant effects were detected on plasma mineral concentrations at 3 DIM, blood BHB concentration, colostrum and transition milk SCC within 48 h after enrollment, or milk yield, energy-corrected milk yield, and SCC at first monthly test. Our results suggest that postpartum plasma Ca concentration may be influenced by postpartum milking strategy, without interfering with future milk yield and udder health. Further studies should evaluate whether the proposed milking strategies in early postpartum affect production, reproduction, or health.     

发酵黄芪粉对奶牛产奶量及乳成分的影响研究

研究发酵黄芪粉对奶牛产奶量及乳品质的影响.对照组奶牛饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ组奶牛分别饲喂10、20和30 g/(头·d)的发酵黄芪粉基础日粮.结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组奶牛产奶量增加了0.95、1.45和1.58 kg/(头·d),但试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组组间差异不显著;可显著提高奶牛乳蛋白率,但对奶牛乳脂率、乳糖及非脂固型物均无显著影响;可降低奶牛乳体细胞数,其中试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组奶牛乳体细胞数显著低于对照组和试验Ⅰ组,但试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组组间差异不显著;可提高奶牛经济效益,各试验组奶牛经济效益分别高于对照组2.6、3.4和2.72元/(头·d).该试验条件下,发酵黄芪粉以20 g/(头·d)的添加量较好.     

Association of dry matter intake and energy balance prepartum and postpartum with health disorders postpartum: Part II. Ketosis and clinical mastitis

The main objective of this study was to determine the association of dry matter intake as percentage of body weight (DMI%BW) and energy balance (EB) prepartum (−21 d relative to parturition) and postpartum (28 d) with ketosis (n = 189) and clinical mastitis (n = 79). For this, DMI%BW and EB were the independent variables and ketosis and clinical mastitis were the dependent variables. A secondary objective was to evaluate prepartum DMI%BW and EB as predictors of ketosis and clinical mastitis. For this, ketosis and clinical mastitis were the independent variables and DMI%BW and EB were the dependent variables. Data from 476 cows from 9 experiments were compiled. Clinical mastitis was diagnosed if milk from 1 or more quarters was abnormal in color, viscosity, or consistency, with or without accompanying heat, pain, redness, or swelling of the quarter or generalized illness, during the first 28 d postpartum. Ketosis was defined as the presence of acetoacetate in urine that resulted in any color change [5 mg/dL (trace) or higher] in the urine test strip (Ketostix, Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany). Cows that developed ketosis had lesser DMI%BW and lesser EB on d −5, −3, −2, and −1 than cows without ketosis. Each 0.1-percentage point decrease in the average DMI%BW and each 1-Mcal decrease in the average of EB in the last 3 d prepartum increased the odds of having ketosis by 8 and 5%, respectively. Cut-offs for DMI%BW and EB during the last 3 d prepartum to predict ketosis were established and were ≤1.5%/d and ≤1.1 Mcal/d, respectively. Cows that developed ketosis had lesser postpartum DMI%BW and EB and greater energy-corrected milk (ECM) than cows without ketosis. Cows that developed clinical mastitis had lesser DMI%BW but similar prepartum EB compared with cows without clinical mastitis. Each 0.1-percentage point decrease in the average DMI%BW and each 1-Mcal decrease in the average EB in the last 3 d prepartum increased the odds of having clinical mastitis by 10 and 8%, respectively. The average DMI%BW and EB during the last 3 d prepartum produced significant cut-offs to predict clinical mastitis postpartum, which were ≤1.2%/d and ≤1.0 Mcal/d, respectively. Cows that developed clinical mastitis had lesser postpartum DMI%BW from d 3 to 15 and on d 17; greater EB on d 18, from d 21 to 23, and on d 26; and lesser ECM. The main limitation in this study is that the time-order of disease relative to DMI%BW and ECM is inconsistent such that postpartum outcomes were measured before and after disease, which was diagnosed at variable intervals after calving. In summary, measures of prepartum DMI were associated with and were predictors of ketosis and clinical mastitis postpartum, although the effect sizes were small.     

Association of dry matter intake and energy balance prepartum and postpartum with health disorders postpartum: Part I. Calving disorders and metritis

The main objective of this study was to determine the association of dry matter intake as percentage of body weight (DMI%BW) and energy balance (EB) prepartum (−21 d relative to parturition) and postpartum (28 d) with calving disorders (CDZ; dystocia, twins, and stillbirths; n = 101) and metritis (n = 114). For this, DMI%BW and EB were the independent variables and CDZ and metritis were the dependent variables. A secondary objective was to evaluate prepartum DMI%BW and EB as predictors of CDZ and metritis. For this, CDZ and metritis were the independent variables and DMI%BW and EB were the dependent variables. Data from 476 cows from 9 experiments were compiled. Cows that developed CDZ had lesser postpartum DMI%BW from d 3 to 12 and lesser energy-corrected milk (ECM) than cows that did not develop CDZ. Dry matter intake as percentage of BW and EB prepartum did not affect the odds of CDZ. Cows with metritis had lesser prepartum DMI%BW and EB. Each 0.1-percentage point decrease in the average DMI%BW and each 1-Mcal decrease in the average EB in the last 3 d prepartum increased the odds of having metritis by 8%. The average DMI%BW and EB during the last 3 d prepartum produced significant cut-offs to predict metritis postpartum, which were ≤1.6%/d and ≤2.5 Mcal/d, respectively. Cows that developed metritis had lesser overall postpartum DMI%BW and ECM and lesser EB from d 2 to 5 and from d 7 to 11 than cows that did not develop metritis. The main limitation in this study is that the time-order of disease relative to DMI%BW and ECM is inconsistent such that postpartum outcomes were measured before and after disease, which was diagnosed at variable intervals after calving. In summary, prepartum DMI%BW and EB were associated with and were predictors of metritis although the effect sizes were small for metritis, and calving disorders and metritis were associated with decreased DMI%BW and ECM postpartum.