The cornerstone of any profitable dairy or beef production system is a healthy, well-nourished herd. One of the core factors in achieving this status is the ability to maintain energy balance throughout the production cycle. Addressing risk periods when energy can be limiting – such as calving for the cow, or the very early life of the calf – can have far reaching benefits in terms of production. Additionally, as the immune system has a huge energy requirement at times of stress, maintaining energy balance is a key factor in helping to maintain animal health.
Smooth Transition paves the way for a great lactation –
The most critical part of the lifecycle of the cow is the transition from the dry to milking periods. As well as the energy requirement of the calving itself, there are many other factors that contribute to substantial change in the energy status of the cow at this time.
In the run up to calving, dry matter intake decreases steadily due to the size of the growing calf, and also due to changes in the cow’s metabolism as she prepares to give birth.
Meanwhile, energy requirements begin to increase rapidly. As well as the energy requirement of the rapidly growing foetus, the cow also starts to divert energy to the udder to produce colostrum – and due to its concentrated nature colostrum production requires more than double the energy requirement of normal milk. When the cow does calve down, energy requirement typically more than doubles on that day as colostrum / milk production comes in – all this at a time when she has just expended a large amount of energy in calving.
These factors leave the cow in a state described as ‘negative energy balance (NEB)’ when energy expenditure outweighs intake. To some extent, this is a natural state of affairs as mothers have evolved to provide for their young at their own expense. However, the extent to which NEB occurs in a modern high production dairy cow is much greater than what would normally occur in lower production animals. This can result in a slow start to the lactation, low intakes, and of course less energy to run an immune system that may have to deal with extra challenges at this time.
Some practical management and nutrition steps can be taken to mitigate against these potential problems and help maintain intakes and performance. It is also important to bear in mind, that planning for a smooth transition should start well in advance – even prior to the dry period. Many studies point to cow condition as being one of the key contributory factors associated with negative energy balance. It has been proven time and time again that cows with higher body condition eat less during the dry period and early lactation – therefore exacerbating NEB. The ideal body condition of modern dairy cows at the time of calving is around 2.75 – 3.0. As it is inadvisable to try and adjust body condition during the dry period, it is therefore important to try and manage it during the late lactation period, for example having a late lactation group with a lower energy ration, or reducing the concentrate allowance for over-conditioned cows for the last two months of lactation.
In terms of management during the dry period, it must be remembered that cows have a tendency to drop intakes as this period goes on. Therefore it is crucial to maintain a stable environment to encourage good intakes, with little changes to upset the cow’s routine. Easy access to feed, keeping food fresh and pushed up, plenty of feeding space per cow, and good cow comfort in order to facilitate easy movement around the pen will all help intakes in the run up to calving and in early lactation.
Of all the organs in the body, the liver is often considered the main ‘energy control centre’ of the cow. Rather than using glucose from food as humans do, cows use ‘volatile fatty acids’ from their rumen to build glucose – and 85% of this activity takes place in the rumen. In addition to this, any fat mobilised from body reserves must be dealt with and re-packaged in the liver before the cow can make use of it. When body reserves are being rapidly used for energy, body fat enters the liver faster than it can be dealt with, ‘ketone bodies’ formed during an incomplete burn of fat are released into the blood. These make the cow lethargic, and less likely to eat – further reducing energy intakes and worsening the energy situation.
A strategy to maintain the best possible energy balance during transition should start when preparing cows for the dry period. In some cases however, the management and nutritional measures across a herd may not be effective in every animal on all farms. If symptoms of Ketosis appear, a quick and easy energy source must be on hand to help supplement demand and ease the pressure on the liver.
Another ‘energy critical’ point of the lifecycle is the newborn calf. Being born with only a small amount of body fat, they are at the mercy of their environment. If they are born into cold and wet conditions fat can be depleted quickly in order to maintain body temperature. This can leave calves weak and unable to get up and suckle to replenish their reserves. In these cases they may need a helping hand themselves to aid good vigour.
Fresh Start® Cow & Calf Boost is an energy rich liquid for cows and calves, providing an immediate supply of energy, vitamins, trace minerals and amino acids at critical periods. Designed to supplement cows and calves with additional energy to meet their body’s demands and support a healthy transition following calving and on-going performance.
Best practice would be to supplement the cow prior to calving, between 24 – 48hrs prior will provide additional vitamins and minerals that she has been depleted of in the latter stages of pregnancy and also more importantly, support her energy levels prior to calving. If the cow still shows signs of an energy imbalance, then continue to drench for a further 24-48 hrs.
The unique formulation contains ingredients specific to meet the immediate need for energy, while helping support the steady use of the body’s own natural reserves to burn body fat to fuel. Providing:
- Multiple source readily available energy – instant fuel supply for the liver plus sugars to increase intake activity. This gives the best balance to improve energy status over a longer period than other single source remedies.
- LiFT technology – including choline to help support liver function and aid ongoing energy balance.
- L – Carnitine – a little heard of and yet very effective ingredient which helps breakdown of body fats into useable energy for calves and adult cattle
- Yeast – designed to support rumen function and feed intake.
The dual use product and easy feed bottle with built in applicator provides farmers and farm managers with an effective solution to meeting on farm energy requirements, supporting transition cows and young calves.