The most significant metabolic disorder at the beginning of lactation with considerable economic importance.
Very strong body fat loss due to insufficient energy intake as a result of excessive body mass gain (fatty degeneration) at the end of pre-lactation and/or the dry period (feeding error).
The accumulation of volatile fatty acids exceeds the possibilities of their utilization. As a result, fatty liver disease and increased formation of ketone bodies with further reduction in feed intake.

Fatal cycle !

Consequences: emaciation, decline in performance, fertility and health problems

Causes:

Body condition score > 4 at calving date
Energy restriction during the dry off period
Hasty fat loss already in dry period 2 as a result of incorrect transit feeding
insufficient adaptation to the concentrate-rich ration type at the beginning of lactation
Triggering diseases: afterbirth disorders, childbearing paresis, rumen acidosis, acute mastitis, puerperal disorders, abomasal displacement

Signal values: F/P > 1.5 and P% <3.2

red

>= 15 % in the lactation section

orange

>= 8 % in the lactation section + energized overfeeding
>= 20 % in the lactation section > 200 days

yellow

>= 8 to < 15 % in the lactation section

Animal health measures

Present animals with F/P > 1.5 to the veterinarian immediately
ensure immediate treatment of every sick cow
Metaphylactic use of propylene glycol and niacin
Develop a control strategy for fat mobilization syndrome, childbearing palsy and abnormal lean displacement and take it into account in management
Arrange additional examinations:
- Acetone content in milk or ketone body rapid test
- Liver biopsy and swimming sample
- GLDH in blood plasma
- sonographic back fat thickness measurement to determine RFD decrease within 14 days
- Rule out rumen acidosis by targeted examinations (pH in urine, NSBA in urine). If positive, then use rumen buffers for fresh milkers.

Measures

Goal: Avoid energetic overfeeding.
Optimize feeding during the dry and transit period, achieve optimal body condition at the time of drying, minimize diseases in the near-birth period.

Feeding in the dry off period 1

Crude fibre-rich, well-structured forage in quantities of 1.6 to 1.8 % of BM with energy density of 5.5 MJ NEL/kg DM
Avoid under- and oversupply of energy. Undersupply initiates fat mobilization too early. Oversupply deepens the energy dericite after calving!
Adequate supply of vitamins and trace elements
Avoid potassium-rich feeds (Potassium content > 2% DM)
Use low-Calcium mineral feeds.

Feeding in transit period 1

Increase energy concentration in TMR to 6.5 MJ NEL/kg DM (energy supply for conservation + 8 Mkg)
In the case of component feeding, increase 1 kg of concentrated feed per week or every 2 days by 500 g until calving reaches 3.0 kg.
Use good quality forage. Increasing the supply of starch increases the DM-intake. DM intake is said to be 1.6% of BM shortly before calving.
Sufficient supply of crude fibre reduces abomasal displacement and prevents rumen acidosis.
Use the same basic feeds as for fresh milkers.
Needs-based protein supply
Milk fever prophylaxis for high DCAB values (use of acidic salts).

Feeding in transit period 2

Increase in concentrate intake by 250 g per day. For TMR, secure an energy concentration of 7.0 MJ NEL/kg DM
Secure 400 g of crude fibre for every 100 kg of body mass. Pay attention to the proportion of structurally effective crude fiber. 8 – 10% of the particles should be larger than 4 cm.
Only the best quality basic feed.

Other measures

Ketosis prophylaxis: Possibly supplemental feeding of propylene glycol, propionates, niacin in cows that are too fat.
Observation of changes in rumination activities and lying behavior (frequent lying down, dull coat, dry muzzle are indications of ketosis)
Control feed consumption (empty hunger pit compared to group mates)
Unlimited access to the feeding area
Check the frequency of forage submission (3 x)
Securing the water supply
is the feed ration (calculated) also eaten?