Dry hay can help with dairy transition

Dry hay can help with dairy transition

Research finds hay can help in some conditions where cows already have acidosis or inflammation

Hay fed to dairy cows for a couple of days after calving can help those that have health issues. Cows are fed high starch diets at calving as they ramp up milk production, which helps manage ketosis and fatty liver, but it also increases risk of acidosis and inflammation. Why it matters: Providing hay post-calving […] Read more

Illness during the transition period has significant effects on cow success during the rest of her lactation.

AUDIO: New thinking on health of transition cows

There’s now more concern about fresh cow blood calcium levels after day four post-calving

New research on transition cows shows that dairy farmers should adjust traditional ways to manage post-calving calcium levels and ketosis. More than half of dairy cows in high managed herds go through the transition period to milking with at least one health problem. Recent research shows those problems lower the cow’s chance of success throughout […] Read more




Experts challenge understanding of transition dairy cow health

Experts challenge understanding of transition dairy cow health

Science Notes: Conditions previously thought as indicating poor health may actually be normal, advantageous

For dairy cows, the transition period — the time between a cow giving birth and beginning to produce milk — brings the greatest possibility of health problems.  The current widespread belief is that the effects of excess nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the bloodstream and the ensuing hyperketonemia during this period, coupled with low levels […] Read more