Nutrition Flashcards
DMI=?
measured in what
Dry matter intake
kg
DMI of dairy cow not lactating or pregnant
2-2.5% of bodyweight
eg 14kg for 700kg cow
DMI for lactating cow 30l per day
3% BW
DMI for lactating cow 50l per day (peak yield)
4% BW
DMI heavily pregnant cow start of dry period
2% bw
DMI last few weeks of pregnancy
reduce by 2-3kg
DMI last few days of pregnanct
4-6kg drop in DMI
MJ ME/ Kg DM
what is this
M/D
metabolisable energy from dry matter intake
what is the function of long chain carbohydrates in cattle digestion?
forms rumen mat and encourages cudding
slow fermentation, fibre
what is the function of short chain carbohydrates in cattle digestion?
energy source for microbes (Starch FME)
fast fermentation, sugars and starches
when would fats and oils be added to cattle diet?
high yielding cows which cannot meet energy requirements
what is a RDP?
rumen degradable protein
any N containing compound fermented to NH4+ in rumen
target BCS loss 1st few weeks post partum?
0.5-1 pt loss
1BCS point = ? kg
50kg
lactation energy requirements
a) production: 5MJ/ litre milk
PLUS
b) maintenance: 65-70MJ
DM % of
clamp grass silage
20-35%
DM % of
maize silage
big bale silage
30-35%
DM % of
hay
straw
85%
DM % of
grass
20%
M/D for clamp grass silage
10-12 MJ ME/kg/DM
M/D for maize silage
11-11.5 MJ ME/kg/DM
M/D for big bale silage
8.5-10.5 MJ ME/kg/DM
M/D for hay
8-9 MJ ME/kg/DM
M/D for straw
5.5- 6.5 MJ ME/kg/DM
M/D for grass
10-12.5 MJ ME/kg/DM
D/M concentrates
12.5 MJ ME/kg/DM
for clamp grass silage, if when squeezed
a) drips water
b) hand is damp
c) forms a dry ball
what is the DM of the sample?
a) drips water= 20%
b) hand is damp= 30%
c) forms a dry ball = 35%
if DMI is <11kg/ cow in dry period, what does this mean?
danger sign, should be 12-14 kg
minimum requirements for feed barrier space or trough space
- milkers
- dry
- close to calving
60cm
80cm
90cm
how long is the dairy cow dry period
60 days
does dmi increase or decrease as dry period progresses?
decrease 2-2.5% of bodyweight
what is fat mobilisation syndrome?
cow too obese (overfed in dry period)> fat accumulation in liver> excess insulin produced> response to insulin decreases
inflammatory responses in liver and affects immunity
similar to type II diabetes
subcutaneous vs visceral fat
sub cut= on show
visceral is hidden
ideal BCS in dry period?
what happens if above or below
- 5-3.5, aim to calve at 2.5- 3.0 BCS
above: increased dystocia risk, RFMs (retained fetal membranes), > milk fever risk, poorer feritlity, ketosisi, DA, immune suppression
below: RFMs, poorer fertility, increased lameness,reduced production
what is SARA
sub acute ruminal acidosis
cause of SARA
excess concentrates
insufficient fibre
or combination of both
> > lactic acid production
> > increased sodium bicarbonate production (buffer) in saliva produced,
> > increases
- rumen pH to above 7 which kills off microbes
- encourages growth of lactobacilli bacteria
> > rumen papillae damage> rumenitis
leading to more likely to get whole load of other issues eg LDA< ketosis and lameness
where is most water taken in, in ruminant digestion?
rumen
what are the following risk factors for?
Insufficient long fibre in the diet Inaccurate fodder DM estimation Over mixing of TMR Excessive feeding of sugars and starches Poor dry cow management Slug feeding of concentrates in the parlour Food deprivation and irregular feeding Poor cow comfort previous SARA bout
SARA
best diagnostic test for SARA
rumen pH measurement <5.5
should be 6-7
herd affected,
excessive weight loss, overall poor health,
variable faeces, undigested grains and long fibre present + mucus casts
poor cudding times, rumen fill dirt and BC scores
top ddx?
how is this diagnosis confirmed?
SARA
sample 6 cows from
a) cows calved 14-21 days ago
b) cows calved 60-80 days ago
if 2 from either group has rumen pH<5.7 then yes has SARA
in SARA does the rumen pH stay consistently low or peaks and troughs?
peaks and troughs
in acute ruminal acidosis does the rumen pH stay consistently low or peaks and troughs?
drops and stays low
cause of acute ruminal acidosis?
overeating grain
often in pet sheep or cows and beef animals
group or individual
distended rumen, ataxia, diarrhoea, depression, recumbency and shock
apparent blindness
top ddx?
acute ruminal acidosis
tx of acute acidosis
mild- hay and observe
subacute: oral magnesium hydroxide or carbonate + hay (antacid)
peracute: rumenotomy and empty rumen contents then 5 5% sodium bicarbonate iv. clacium borogluconate
restrict water intake for 12-24 hours
NSAIDs, ABs,
hypocalcaemia often occurs due to lactation requirements
in what breeds of cows can it occur spontaneously
channel island breeds
cow just calved, initial hyper-excitement, recumbent, no faeces or urination, dry nose and postural bloat
slow pulse and heart rate
top ddx?
what must you do with the cow as well as medical tx?
hypocalcaemia
need to move into sternal recumbency so can allow eurification
how would you treat hypocalcaemia in a recently calved cow?
Ca Borogluconate 40%
1 bottle iv
1 bottle sub cut