The Dry Cow Flashcards

1
Q

What is the typical dry period for dairy cows + lactating period?

A
  • 60 days
  • 305 - 340 day lactation period
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2
Q

Roughly what does a cow with 50Kg of milk secrete?

A
  • 2kg of fat
  • 1.6kg of protein
  • 2.5 kg of lactose
  • 65g of calcium
  • 50g of phosphorus
  • 8g of magnesium

DAILY

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3
Q

What is the aim for dry period management?

A
  • Enable cows to transition from pregnancy to lactation with minimal issues whilst achieving their genetic potential for milk yield
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4
Q

What happens regarding DMI as the dry period progresses?

A
  • DMI falls until day of calving where DMI = 1-4kg
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5
Q

Why is there a huge demand for glucose in the lactating cow?

A
  • Glucose = precursor of lactose
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6
Q

What is the problems of obesity in dairy cows?

A
  • Fat mobilisation syndrome (FMS) in early lactation
  • Decreased DMI in dry period
  • Decreased DMI in early lactation - reduced milk yield + weight loss
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7
Q

How does obesity link to type 2 diabetes?

A
  • Dry cows overfed = excess energy stored in viscera + liver
  • Fat accumulates in liver = compromised liver function
  • Increased NEFAs
  • Reduced response to insulin = increased insulin production
  • Increased inflammatory responses in liver - proinflammatory cytokines from adipose tissue
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8
Q

What does a BCS of >3.5 predispose?

A
  • increased dystocia, RFMs, increased risk of milk fever
  • greater weight loss and poorer fertility
  • ketosis, displaced abomasum and greater immune suppression
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9
Q

What does a BCS <2.5 predispose?

A
  • increased risk of RFMs, poorer fertility, increased
    lameness* and reduced production
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10
Q

What should you feed in the early dry period?

A
  • DMI = 10-14kg
  • Energy requirements = 90-100MJ
  • M/D = 7.5-8.5MJ/day
  • High fibre
    = Grass silage + straw (4-5kg straw)
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11
Q

What should be fed in the late dry period - transition diet?

A
  • DMI declining
  • Need 110-130MJ/day
  • M/D = 9.5-10MJ/ ME/Kg DM
  • Crude protein = 13-15%
    = silage + straw + concentrate
  • dry cow mineral = high Mg + low Ca
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12
Q

Why is wheat straw better for feeding cows during the dry period?

A
  • Coarser
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13
Q

What is dry cow management?

A
  • Stop milking
  • Teat sealant / dry cow tube
  • Move to dry cow group
  • Comfortable housing - loose yard
  • Adequate feed barrier (90cm/cow)
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14
Q

What are aims for nutrition with dry cows?

A
  • Mammary regeneration
  • Rumen development - large + muscular, big healthy papillae, suitable bugs for post calving diet
  • Avoid getting fat - will depress appetite (CS2.5-3.0)
  • Stable groups
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15
Q
A
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