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
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
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
4
Q
What happens regarding DMI as the dry period progresses?
A
- DMI falls until day of calving where DMI = 1-4kg
5
Q
Why is there a huge demand for glucose in the lactating cow?
A
- Glucose = precursor of lactose
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
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
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
9
Q
What does a BCS <2.5 predispose?
A
- increased risk of RFMs, poorer fertility, increased
lameness* and reduced production
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)
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
12
Q
Why is wheat straw better for feeding cows during the dry period?
A
- Coarser
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)
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
15
Q
A