Transition Cow, Cow Comfort, Heat StressTransition Cow, Cow Comfort, Heat Stress

Jack H Britt, Ph.D.Jack H Britt, Ph.D.

Professor EmeritusProfessor Emeritus

University of Tennessee University of Tennessee &&

N.C. State UniversityN.C. State University

Daily Management:Daily Management:Transition CowTransition Cow

Days from ParturitionDays from Parturition

Phase I – Dry off until 21 days prepartum (early dry period)Phase I – Dry off until 21 days prepartum (early dry period)

TMR High fiber diet , 2-3 kg straw

NEL 1.3-1.4 Mcal/kg

12-13% CP

60-80 g Ca; 30-40 g P

Trace minerals and vitamins in TMR

Health & comfort

Dry cow mastitis treatment

Vaccines Trim feet, off concrete Provide shade

Source: Corbett, R. B. 2002. J. Dairy Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):191-192. (Abstr.)

Goal: Goal: 2121 d in close-up group d in close-up group

BetterHealth

MoreMilk

Days in close-up pen

Days in close-up pen

Goal : Cows pregnant with Goal : Cows pregnant with twinstwins, 35 days in close-up , 35 days in close-up

Phase II – 21 days prepartum (late dry period)Phase II – 21 days prepartum (late dry period)

TMR, high fiber, highly palatable TMR, high fiber, highly palatable

Adequate fiber length (> 3.75 cm)Adequate fiber length (> 3.75 cm)

1-2 kg straw1-2 kg straw

15% crude protein15% crude protein

Increase starch (NFC 38 - 42%)Increase starch (NFC 38 - 42%)

YeastYeast

Anionic salts, minerals, vitamins in TMRAnionic salts, minerals, vitamins in TMR

Rumen-protected choline; Ca salts of Omega 3 & 6 F.A. (fertility)Rumen-protected choline; Ca salts of Omega 3 & 6 F.A. (fertility)

Monitor intakes closelyMonitor intakes closelySource: J. Goff, Feedstuffs, March 8, 2004

J. S. Britt, DVM

Source: Hayirli et al, Source: Hayirli et al, J. Dairy Sci. 85: 3430-3443, 2002J. Dairy Sci. 85: 3430-3443, 2002

Feed intake Feed intake declinesdeclinesduring 3 wk pre-partumduring 3 wk pre-partum

40% decline overall40% decline overall

Abrupt decline last 5 daysAbrupt decline last 5 days

Higher BCS – greater Higher BCS – greater declinedecline

Heifers

Cows

BCS = 4.4

BCS = 3.6

BCS = 2.8

Source: Roger W. Palmer, UW Madison-Dairy Science DepartmentSource: Roger W. Palmer, UW Madison-Dairy Science Department

Transition CowTransition CowPhase II HousingPhase II Housing Calving penCalving pen Feed alleyFeed alley Lock-upLock-up Access to chuteAccess to chute

Phase III – 21 days postpartum Phase III – 21 days postpartum

TMR NEL 1.6-1.7 Mcal/kgTMR NEL 1.6-1.7 Mcal/kg

Highly palatable feeds (30-33% NDF)Highly palatable feeds (30-33% NDF)

Adequate fiber lengthAdequate fiber length

2-3 kg long stem hay2-3 kg long stem hay

16-19% crude protein16-19% crude protein

Increase starch (NFC 44%)Increase starch (NFC 44%)

Trace minerals and vitamins in TMRTrace minerals and vitamins in TMR

Rumen protected choline, Ca salts of omega 3 & 6 fatty acidsRumen protected choline, Ca salts of omega 3 & 6 fatty acids

Monitor intakes, limit total fatMonitor intakes, limit total fat Source:Source: J. Goff, Feedstuffs, March 8, 2004J. Goff, Feedstuffs, March 8, 2004J. S. Britt, DVMJ. S. Britt, DVM

PostpartumAnestrus

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

0 12 24 36 48 60 72 84Days Postpartum

1 2 3

Transition Cow: Energy Balance and Fertility

Transition Cow: Energy Balance and Fertility

Progesteroneconcentrations arehigher with morepositive energy

balance

Postpartumanestrus is shorterwith more positive

energy balance

Conception rate at first AI is higher in cows withhigher energy balance

Daily Management:Peripartum Problems Reduce Fertility

Problems Affecting Fertility

• Dystocia

• Twins

• Retained Placenta

• Metritis

• Metabolic diseases>> ketosis, milk fever

Relationships Between Primary and Secondary Postpartum Disorders

PPrriimmaarryy DDiissoorrddeerr ((ooccccuurrss ffiirrsstt))

SSeeccoonnddaarryy DDiissoorrddeerr ((ooccccuurrss nneexxtt))

MMiillkk ffeevveerr

DDyyssttoocciiaa

RReettaaiinneedd ppllaacceennttaa

MMeettrriittiiss

DDiissppllaacceedd aabboommaassuumm

KKeettoossiiss

DDyyssttoocciiaa XX

RReettaaiinneedd ppllaacceennttaa XX XX

MMeettrriittiiss XX XX XX

DDiissppllaacceedd aabboommaassuumm XX XX XX

MMaassttiittiiss XX XX XX XX

LLooww ccoonncceeppttiioonn.. XX XX XX XX XX XX

Daily Management:Daily Management:Postpartum Reproductive DisordersPostpartum Reproductive Disorders

RecommendationsRecommendations

Monitor temperature and appetiteMonitor temperature and appetite

Treat Treat sicksick cows systemically cows systemically

Delay treatment for other cowsDelay treatment for other cows

Monitor diameter of cervix @ 3-4 wkMonitor diameter of cervix @ 3-4 wk

Treat endometritis after 30 daysTreat endometritis after 30 days

TraitSmallest

1/3Largest

1/3

Percentage of cows 40% 26%

1st service conception 67% 47%

Days open 85 108

Cervix Diameter Group

Daily Management:Daily Management:Monitor Cervix DiameterMonitor Cervix Diameter

* 21-28 days postpartum* 21-28 days postpartum

Source: Oltenacu et al. 1983. J Dairy Sci. 66: 612.

*492 cows in 8 commercial herds, Michigan

Daily Management: Daily Management: Mastitis and Milk LossMastitis and Milk Loss

Source: Wilson et al. J Dairy Sci. 2004. 87: 2073.

Impact of clinical mastitis Impact of clinical mastitis on milk yieldon milk yield

Primiparous (DIM = 22)Primiparous (DIM = 22)

Multiparious (DIM = 81)Multiparious (DIM = 81)

Primiparous

Multiparous

Approximately 1600 cows on two commercial farms in New York state.

Trait NoneBefore 1st

AISoon after

1st AI

After Preg.

DiagnosisNo. Cows 501 250 147 103

Con. Rate 1st AI 29% 22% 10% 38%

Preg. @ 320 DIM 85% 72% 59% 93%

Abortion 6% 12% 12% 10%

Mastitis Status

Daily Management: Daily Management: Mastitis and Conception RatesMastitis and Conception Rates

Source: Santos et al. 2004. Animal Reproduction Science 80:31-45.

Daily Management:Daily Management:Heat StressHeat Stress

Shade <> Cooling <>VentilationFeed Intake <> Protein <> Water

Managing Heat Stress

Daily Management:Daily Management:Heat StressHeat Stress

Source: Faust et al. 1988. J. Dairy Sci. 71:3092

Seasonal conception rate3200 Holsteins cows southeast US

Heifers

Cows

Sartori et al. 2002. J. Dairy Sci. 85:2803.

Cows affected more than heifers

Heat stress affects cows more than heifers.Heat stress affects cows more than heifers.

Heat Stress ManagementHeat Stress Management

WaterWater• CleanClean• Exit alleysExit alleys

FeedingFeeding•Monitor intakeMonitor intake• Adjust proteinAdjust protein

ShadeShade•Over cows Over cows •Over feedOver feed

Fans over stalls

Cooling Cows During Heat StressCooling Cows During Heat Stress

FansFans

SprinklersSprinklers

Fans & sprinkler over feed bunkFans & sprinkler over feed bunk

Cow ComfortCow ComfortTransition & Heat Stress ManagementTransition & Heat Stress Management

AlleysAlleys• Rubber floor stripsRubber floor strips• GroovedGrooved

Free stallsFree stalls•SandSand• SizeSize

Holding pensHolding pens•Ventilation Ventilation •Water in exit alleysWater in exit alleys Fans over stallsFans over stalls

Cow Comfort:Cow Comfort:Estrus is Affected by Footing SurfaceEstrus is Affected by Footing Surface

0102030405060708090

100

0 to 5 6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 20 21 to 25 26 to 30

Minutes from Movement

Dirt

Concrete

Number of Mounts per 5-Minutes

Britt et al. 1986. J. Dairy Sci. 69: 2195.DirtDirt

ConcreteConcrete

Gracias!