Ponder this disturbing factoid: “More than 35% of all dairy cows have at least one clinical disease event (metabolic or infectious) during the first 90 days in milk,” says Bobwealth Omontese, a post-doctoral associate with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Because of that, it is recommended to observe fresh cows daily during the first two weeks of lactation. This practice will help you identify sick animals in a timely manner,” he says.
It’s also important to track and record these events to get an idea of how the herd is performing. This allows you to calculate prevalence rates, and whether your herd is above or below normal for disease rates.
Table 1. Herd alarm levels and cost per case for dairy cow diseases
Disease1 | Cost/case | Herd alarm |
Hyperketonemia (subclinical ketosis) | $289 | 15% |
Clinical hypocalcemia | $150 | 3% |
Subclinical hypocalcemia | $150 | 30% |
Displaced abomasum | $700 | 3% |
Retained fetal membranes (RP) | $232 | 5% |
Metritis | $218 | 10% |
Mastitis | $376 | 3% |
Note: The prevalence of hyperketonemia, clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia, displaced abomasum, retain fetal membranes and metritis should be calculated as the number of cases divided by the number of fresh cows per month. The prevalence of mastitis is calculated by the number of clinical cases divided by the number of milking cows per month.
It’s also important to monitor dry matter intake and feed bunks to ensure cows have access to feed. “Monitoring the feed bunk between feeding and the amount of refusals is important to gather information about sorting and feed push-up frequency,” says Omontese. That information can then be used to make necessary adjustments to maximize dry matter intake.
Table 2. Recommended feeding, bunk management and cow management during transition period.
Management practice | Goal |
Removal of old feed from bunk | Daily |
Availability of feed | at least 23 hours/day |
Feed push-up | Every 4 hours |
Refusals (feed) | 3-5% |
Eating space | at least 24 inches/head |
Water availability | at least 4 linear inches/head |
*Stocking density | |
Far-off dry cows | 100% |
**Close-up dry cows | 80-100% |
Fresh cows | 80% |
Pre-partum dry matter intake | |
Primiparous | at least 22 lbs/day |
Multiparous | at least 26 lbs/day |
Post-partum dry matter intake | |
Primiparous | at least 34 lbs/days |
Multiparous | at least 42 lbs/day |
Additional cow comfort parameters | |
Social grouping | Separate parity groups |
Hock scoring | > 80% of cows without hock lesions |
Body condition score | |
Dry-off | 2.75 to 3.5 |
Calving | 2.75 to 3.5 |
Peak milk production (~60 DIM) | 2.5 to 3.25 |
Cow behavior | > 60% of lying cows chewing their cud 2 hours after feeding |
Table source: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
*Stocking density calculated based on headlocks, not stalls
**Recommended close-up dry cows stocking 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.
For more information on fresh cow health parameters, go to: https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-animal-health-and-comfort/transition-dairy-cows#feeds-and-feeding-1741213
