Suspicion of structural deficiency (>= 201 days)

This post is also available on: German

Definition/Causes

Decreasing fat content signals decreasing structure content in the ration. It is ostensibly 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.
The excess 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 and milk fat deficiency syndrome

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

>= 10 % in the lactation section

Measures

Goal: Increasing forage intake with the best feed quality

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?

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 feed ration

  • Ration calculation and ration control
  • Securing the structure
  • Assignment to feeding groups