Suspicion of lack of energy (31-100 days)

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Definition/Causes

The milk protein content is significantly influenced by the energy supply. The low protein content (< 3.2%) indicates a lack of energy in the feed.

The cows are in the phase of negative energy balance and lose body fat without health consequences. After the 60th day of lactation, degradation gradually comes to a standstill, because feed intake reaches its maximum. From the 12th to the 16th week of lactation, the cow goes into a balanced energy balance and slowly begins to gain more body mass than to lose it. As a result, the fat content also rises above 4% again. The supply of crude fiber is sufficient.
Protein percentages below 3.2 with fat percentages above 4 indicate a lack of energy in the ration. This means that the existing capacity is not exhausted.

Fat/protein ratios > 1.5 and F% > 4.9 are at risk of ketosis.

A distinction must be made between low protein contents as a result of

  • Protein deficiency (urea values < 150 mg/liter)
  • high temperature, high humidity
  • Udder diseases (increased cell counts)
  • Diseases (fat mobilization syndrome, ketosis, abnormal lean shifting, hoof diseases)

Signal values: F% > 4.0 and P% <3.2 to 2.8 depending on the amount of milk

red

>= 20 % in the lactation section

orange

>= 15 % in the lactation setion + neg. energy balance >= 25 % in the lactation section 31st to 100th day + extreme depletion of body reserve >= 15% in the lactation section up to day 30

yellow

>= 10 to < 20 % in the lactation setion




Measures

Goal: Improve feed intake, ensure sufficient and balanced energy and protein supply

Check feed intake

  • Unlimited access to the feeding area
  • Securing the water supply
  • Check the amount of residual feed (at least 5%)
  • is the feed ration (calculated) also eaten? Is the forage performance overestimated?

Check feed quality

  • Energy content preferably above 6.5 NEL/kg DM in roughage
  • Roughage digestibility above 70%.
  • 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)
  • Check on-demand feeding for function and calibration

Controlling animal health

  • Animal observation in resting phase – hollow hunger pit, rumination activities
  • Improper transit feeding
  • Arrange additional examinations:
    • Acetone content in milk > 200 mmol/l