Negative Energy Balance

Question 1

How much energy does a cow going in drying off period consume

Answer 1

100-120MJ

Question 2

How much energy does a cow post 3 weeks after calving consume a day

Answer 2

300MJ

Question 3

How much energy to produce 1l of milk

Answer 3

5MJ

Question 4

How many weeks post calving is peak lactation period

Answer 4

6-8 weeks

Question 5

Is there a physiological negative energy balance post calving

Answer 5

Yes. For first 3 months

Question 6

Volatile Fatty acids provide _________% of ruminant energy needs

Answer 6

60-80

Question 7

Where does the rest of energy come from besides volatile fatty acid

Answer 7

Fat

Question 8

Which volatile fatty acid is responsible for entering the krebs cycle for energy

Answer 8

Propionate

Question 9

Most important ketone body

Answer 9

BHB-B hydroxybutyrate

Question 10

What does BHB level monitor

Answer 10

Ketosis

Question 11

Risk factors for ketosis

Answer 11

Overly conditioned cows

Question 12

What is fat cow sydrome

Answer 12

Overly conditioned cows consuming less dry matter in last week of pregnancy

Question 13

C/S of ketosis

Answer 13

Anorexia
Milk drop and weight loss
Firm and hard faeces
Reduced rumen contraction
TPR normal

Question 14

Main effect of ketosis in respect to production level

Answer 14

Lowered milk production
Lower submission and conception rate

Question 15

Dx of Ketosis

Answer 15

BHB in blood
Acetoacetate in urine/ +++ purple
BHB in milk
NEFAS free fatty acid

Question 16

What is normal level of BHB in post partum cow

IMPORTANT

Answer 16

1.2-1.4mmol/l

Question 17

What is the best way to monitor negative energy balance in a herd

Answer 17

15-20 cows monthly
3-9 days post partum
More than 15% values >1.2mmol/l associated with disease incidence

Question 18

When is it appropriate to measure NEFAS free fatty acids

Answer 18

Pre calving

Question 19

What is the normal level of NEFAs in dry cows

Answer 19

300umol/l

Question 20

Ketosis Tx

Answer 20

1. Oral propylene glycol 300ml once a day for 5 days
2. Glucose IV- Not very effective/Not recommended
3. Steroids- Not recommended

Question 21

What does propylene glycol do

Answer 21

Reduces ketone bodies in the blood, helping to reverse or prevent clinical and subclinical ketosis.
Provides an immediate energy source to meet the high demands of early lactation.
Helps improve the cow’s appetite and milk production by alleviating the energy deficit.

Question 22

When is ketosis-fatty liver most likely to occur

Answer 22

3 weeks pre calving to 6 weeks post calving

Question 23

Ketosis Prevention

Answer 23

Dry period management crucial
Maximise dry matter intake and reduce stress

Question 24

Suggest methods to give farmer to improve transition period

Answer 24

1. Miminum competition-no overcrowding. 80% filled should be maximum
2. Seperate cows and heifers
3. Hygeine
4. Maximise cow comfort- Deep bedding
5. No pathological condition (Lameness)
6. Perfect nutrition

Question 25

How to prevent ketosis with respect to nutrition

Answer 25

Ensure high DMI intake by having
1. Highly palatable forages,
2. Consistent delivery of the diet (same one,same time, well mixed)
3. Ensure palatable feed and water available
4. 10% left over the next day
5. Adequate level of microelements

Question 26

Describe diet composition of prepartum cow

Answer 26

High energy

Question 27

Describe diet composition of postpartum cow

Answer 27

High fibre

Question 28

Describe conventional diet to prevent ketosis

Answer 28

Split dry period in 2 seperate feeding groups (40d and 20d left)
Far off- Low energy diet
Close up- High energy, similar ration to milking cows, introduce rapidly fermentable carbohydrate and concentrate

Question 29

Describe ‘goldilocks’ diet to prevent ketosis

Answer 29

Feed low energy diet to both far off and close off prepartum group
High content of straw and fibre
Force cows to eat as much as possible

Question 30

Target BCS of calving cow

Answer 30

3.0-3.25

Question 31

Target BCS of drying off cow

Answer 31

3.0-3.25. No loss of BCS during dry period

Question 32

Target BCS of 60DIM

Answer 32

2.75-3.0 There will be a dip

Question 33

Ketosis prevention

Answer 33

Monensin-Increase propionate-producing bacteria