Strategies to Prevent Milk Fever in Late-Calving Cows
Source: dairynews.today
As the end of the calving season approaches, farms must focus on preventing milk fever in late-calving cows by managing their nutrition and condition to avoid health issues.
As the calving season draws to a close, farms are advised to be vigilant about the health of late-calving cows. These cows, often having had extended dry periods of over three months, are at a heightened risk for milk fever due to potential over-conditioning with a body condition score (BCS) over 3.5.
Farmers should restrict feed quality and quantity, avoiding high-quality silage, and where necessary, incorporate straw or drier silage with higher fiber content. Nutrition management, particularly the provision of dry cow minerals, is crucial. Cows require about 100–120 g of minerals daily, with at least 22% magnesium and high levels of vitamin D to combat milk fever. Additionally, it is recommended to spread mineral intake over two feeds to ensure all cows have access, a strategy that remains beneficial even when space isn’t constrained.
Furthermore, ensuring adequate trace minerals like copper, selenium, and zinc are fed at least six weeks before calving is imperative for health. Special attention is needed for over-conditioned cows: their silage should be restricted, keeping their intake to between 10–11 kg of dry matter daily for March-calving cows. Farmers facing a history of milk fever should test their silage for high potassium levels and aim to use silage with potassium levels below 2.2% from four weeks pre-calving. A high calcium bolus with vitamin D is advised over calcium bottles under the skin to prevent milk fever.
However, a calcium bottle should be available to address any clinical cases at calving. By ensuring a controlled diet, appropriate mineral intake, and careful monitoring of BCS, farmers can enhance the health outcomes for late-calving cows as they transition back to milking.
Farmers should restrict feed quality and quantity, avoiding high-quality silage, and where necessary, incorporate straw or drier silage with higher fiber content. Nutrition management, particularly the provision of dry cow minerals, is crucial. Cows require about 100–120 g of minerals daily, with at least 22% magnesium and high levels of vitamin D to combat milk fever. Additionally, it is recommended to spread mineral intake over two feeds to ensure all cows have access, a strategy that remains beneficial even when space isn’t constrained.
Furthermore, ensuring adequate trace minerals like copper, selenium, and zinc are fed at least six weeks before calving is imperative for health. Special attention is needed for over-conditioned cows: their silage should be restricted, keeping their intake to between 10–11 kg of dry matter daily for March-calving cows. Farmers facing a history of milk fever should test their silage for high potassium levels and aim to use silage with potassium levels below 2.2% from four weeks pre-calving. A high calcium bolus with vitamin D is advised over calcium bottles under the skin to prevent milk fever.
However, a calcium bottle should be available to address any clinical cases at calving. By ensuring a controlled diet, appropriate mineral intake, and careful monitoring of BCS, farmers can enhance the health outcomes for late-calving cows as they transition back to milking.
