Decreasing fat content may indicate decreasing structure content in the ration. It is primarily caused by an excess of easily soluble carbohydrates.
Rumination activity and saliva production are restricted. As a result, insufficient buffering of the volatile fatty acids and a drop in the pH value in the rumen. There is a risk of latent acidotic exposure. Due to reduced acetate fermentation and increased propionate fermentation, the milk fat content decreases.
An excess of energy increases the protein content.

Causes

Feed ration is structurally poor and/or contains inferior coarse feed
Non-rumen-friendly use of concentrated feed (too high proportion of easily soluble carbohydrates – caution: risk of acidosis)

Milk fat drops are to be distinguished by:

Heat stress, high humidity, mastitis and insufficient energy supply (poor feed quality)
Performance
Recovery after excessive body mass loss due to ketosis
severe emaciation.

Signal values: Decrease in F% >= 0.4% compared to previous month

red

>= 45 % in the lactation section

orange

>= 18% in the lactation section + structural deficiency
>= 20% in lactation section 101. up to 200th day
>= 10 % in the lactation section > 200 days

yellow

>= 18 to < 45% in the lactation section

Measures

Goal: Increasing forage intake with the best feed quality

Check feed intake

Avoid unrestricted access to the feeding area Avoid overcrowding (animal: feeding area = 1:1)
Check the frequency of forage submission (3 x)
Securing the water supply
Check the amount of residual feed (at least 5%)
is the feed ration (calculated) also eaten?

Check feed quality

Energy content preferably above 6.5 NEL/kg DM in roughage
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.
Feed without impurities and deteriorations (dirty, moldy, frozen)
The basic feed:concentrate ratio should not exceed 40:60.

Check feed ration

Ration calculation and ration control
Securing the structure
Correct assignment to feeding groups

Other measures

Observe a change in the consistency of feces (transition to light-colored, thin-tangled feces)