The dry cow Flashcards
How long is the dry period?
60 days
How long is the lactation period?
305-340 days
The dry period in cows has been considered a resting phase between lactations…….is it?
Considerable foetal growth, mammary tissue remodelling and high nutritional demands occur
What is the transition period?
The period from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving
What are the main demands of a cow during the dry period?
Pregnant – foetal growth occurring and got to give birth
Produce milk – lots of mammary tissue remodelling
Become pregnant again within a given time period
At which point of the cows yearly cycle is the most neglected?
The dry period
What is the aim of management in the dry period?
Enable cows (and heifers) to transition from pregnancy to lactation with minimal issues whilst achieving their genetic potential for milk yield
How does intake change towards the end of the dry period?
DMI decreases and most cows are entering a period of NEB
What is the physiological adaptation of mammals when in a negative energy balance?
Mobilise body reserves
How do the demands of the cow change in the peri-parturient period?
Huge demand for energy (glucose primarily)
How is glucose involved in milk production?
Glucose is the precursor of lactose – dictates milk volume via osmosis
Which tissue is the main reserve of energy used in a NEB?
Adipose tissue
Describe the syndrome associated with fat that can occur in early lactation
Fat mobilisation syndrome
‘fatty liver’
‘bovine type 2 diabetes’
In obese dairy cows where does fat accumulate? What are the issues with this?
In the liver - function compromised
- Increased non-esterised fatty acids
- Reduced response to insulin, increased insulin production
Which of the following cows has more subcutaneous fat than visceral fat?
- beef cow
- Frisian
- Holstein
- channel island
Beef cow
Frisian