Recommendations for Subclinical Ketosis Prevention
Producers can minimize SCK and improve profitability by following good management practices. Here are some management areas and recommendations to boost transition success.
Reviewing cows' health records to assess peripartum health is a good place to start. Check whether there is a high occurrence of displaced abomasum (DA). SCK and DA are considered 'disease pairs' as dairy herds with SCK have typically increased levels of DA (Oetzel et al., 2006). It is possible that SCK may be unnoticed in dairy herds with a high occurrence of DAs. In addition, milk fever, retained placenta, metritis, and cystic ovarian disease may have increased occurrence as well (Table 3). Consult with the herd veterinarian for proper disease diagnosis.
Examine reasons for culling during the first 30-60 DIM. Cows leaving the herd during the first 30 to 60 DIM represent the greatest loss to the producer. Researchers in Wisconsin found out that many of the cows leaving the herd during the first 30 DIM are dead, and cows leaving in the 30-60 days are usually unsuccessfully treated periparturient disease cows (Oetzel et al., 2006).
Based on the survey results of the best-performing herds, a general benchmark for a herd should be: four percent removal during the first 30 DIM and less than six percent by 60 DIM. Higher rates would suggest fresh cow health problems (Oetzel et al., 2006).
Check body condition score (BCS) regularly. Minimize over-conditioned cows (BCS >3.75 – 4) and too thin cows (BCS <3). The desired level is less than 10 percent of the herd above and below these scores. Focus on a target of BCS of 3.0 – 3.25 at calving (Table 4).
Review the DHIA-202 'Dry Cow Profile' table. The number of cows dry >70 days should be less than five to 10 percent (Table 3). Cows in this group can be over-conditioned and are a potential problem for developing SCK. If there are more cows in this group, more than five percent, it is recommended to review the breeding program, especially heat detection.
Review the cows' environment and management for possible stressors such as sufficient bunk space, cow comfort, overcrowding, overall hygiene, grouping, etc. (Table 3). These stressors should be minimized as they limit DMI and rumination time.
| Parameter | Achievable Rate | Alarm Rate |
|---|---|---|
|
Displaced abomasum |
<3% |
≥6% |
|
Milk Fever |
<2% |
≥5% |
|
Retained Placenta |
<8% |
≥10% |
|
Metritis and Ketosis |
If the rate of displaced abomasums is over 6% it is likely that metritis and ketosis may also be a challenge in fresh cows. At this point ketosis should be investigated by chemical analysis. | |
|
Stillborns – born dead or died within 24 hrs of birth |
<10% of first lactation, heifer calves |
>12% of first lactation, heifer calves |
|
Dead and sold |
<8% |
≥12% |
| Length of dry period: ≥ end of 2nd lactation |
40-60 days |
>20% less than 30 Days |
|
Length of dry period: Between first and second lactation |
50-60 days |
>20% less than 40 Days |
Table 3a. Â Mastitis (Goal of BTSCC of 200,000)
| Parameter | Achievable Rate | Alarm Rate |
|---|---|---|
|
All cows First test LS>4 |
<10% |
≥14% |
|
Heifers first test LS>4 |
<7% |
≥10% |
|
New infections between first two tests after calving – all cows |
<10% |
≥12% |
|
Cure rate in fresh period: 1st test LS>4 followed by 2nd test LS<4 |
>60% |
<50% |
Source: Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine.
| Management Practice | Goal |
|---|---|
|
Removal of old feed from bunk |
Daily |
|
Availability of feed |
>23 h/day |
|
Feed push-up |
Every 4 h |
|
Feed refusal |
3–5% |
|
Eating space |
>61cm/head (24 inches/head) |
|
Water availability |
>10 linear cm/head (4 linear inches/head) |
|
Stocking density:Â 1 |
|
|
Far-off dry cows |
100% |
|
Close-up dry cows 2 |
80–100% |
|
Fresh cow |
80% |
|
Prepartum dry matter intake: |
|
|
Primiparous |
>10 kg/day (22 pounds/day) |
|
Multiparous |
>12 kg/day (26 pounds/day) |
|
Postpartum dry matter intake: |
|
|
Primiparous |
>15.5 kg/day (34 pounds/day) |
|
Multiparous |
>19 kg/day (42 pounds/day) |
|
Social grouping |
Separate parity groups |
|
Additional parameters: |
|
|
Hock scoring |
>80% of cows without hock lesions |
|
Body condition score: |
|
|
Calving |
3.0–3.25 |
|
Peak milk production (~70–90 DIM 3) |
2.5–3.0 |
|
Mid-lactation (~150 DIMÂ 3) |
3.0–3.25 |
|
Dry-off |
3.0–3.25 |
|
Cow behavior |
>60% of lying cows chewing their cud 2 h after feeding |
1Â Stocking density calculated based on headlocks.Â
2Â Recommended close-up dry cows sticking density varies depending on breed and demographics of the pen. A lower stocking density (i.e., 80%) is beneficial for Holstein cattle and in herds where multiparous and primiparous animals are housed together. Higher stocking density (i.e., 100%) can be used in Jersey cattle herds without negative effects on health and performance postpartum.Â
3Â DIM = days in milk
References
Caixate, L.S., Omontese, B.O. 2021. Monitoring and Improving the Metabolic Health of Dairy Cows during the Transition Period. Animals. 11(2):352. 2021
Oetzel, G.R., Nordlund K.V., Cook N. Modern techniques for monitoring high-producing cows 1. Principles of herd-level diagnoses. In Practice, October 2006
Oetzel, G.R., Nordlund K.V., Cook N. Modern techniques for monitoring high-producing cows 2. Practical applications. In Practice, November 2006
Transition Cow Benchmarks. Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine.
