Super Size Me: Nutritional and Management Approaches to Encourage
Higher Transition Cow Intakes and Greater Lactational Milk Yields
Heather Dann, Miner Institute
Sarah Stocks and Bill Stone, Diamond V
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
61
What are our
nutritional problems
or metabolic
challenges?
Circulating NEFA and BHBA are a Normal
Part of Transition if Lipid Mobilization is
“Normal” and Non-Compromised
Energy balance &
subclinical ketosis
Subacute ruminal acidosis
(SARA)
Subclinical hypocalcemia
Ketosis
 
Incidence of Subclinical
Ketosis (BHBA = 1.2 to 2.9 mmol/L)
“It’s the #1 metabolic
disease going on in cattle”
•  Peak incidence occurs early
(5 DIM) in herds that group
cows and feed a TMR
•  Resolution of SCK is ~5 d
Gary Oetzel, February 13, 2012
30% incidence…may be higher
43% (26-56%) SCK incidence on 4 large
commercial dairies (McArt et al., 2011)
  $33-320 per case of SCK (Oetzel, 2012; Gohary,
 
 
2013)
McArt et al., 2012; J. Dairy Sci. 95:5056
Cow-Level Testing for
Ketosis
(Nydam, 2012; Oetzel, 2012)
 
Blanket testing
 
 
M-W-F or T-Th protocol
Use in high prevalence (snapshot) herds
 
 
Incidence is 2.2-2.4 X the prevalence
Selective testing
 
Based on attitude, appetite, and milk
 
 
Low milk alone will delay diagnosis
Use selective testing in lower prevalence
herds
Early Detection and Propylene Glycol
Treatment (300 mL/10 oz.)
(Oetzel, 2012; McArt et al., 2012)
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.5X more likely to resolve ketosis by 16 DIM
0.54X less likely to develop BHBA ≥ 3.0
mmol/L
0.63X less likely to develop a DA ≤ 30 DIM
0.48X less likely to be removed by ≤ 30 DIM
1.5 kg (3.2 lb) more milk
1.3X more likely to conceive at 1st service
Rather Prevent than Treat!
2
62
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
63
Feed Intake and Eating Behavior are
the Result of Neural Integration of
Numerous Signals
What Can We Do in the FarOff and Close-Up Groups?
 
Physiological
State of Cow
Control energy
intake and body
weight gain
 
 
Diet
Characteristics
Management
Environment
Dry Period Energy Formulation…
a Balancing Act
 
 
 
 
If cows consume insufficient energy
before calving…more metabolic
problems after calving
If cows consume excessive energy
before calving…more metabolic
problems after calving
Major influence of non-nutritional
factors on amount and uniformity of
energy intake
Dictates different approaches on
different farms to achieve same goal
Excessive Prepartum Energy
Intake & Insulin Resistance
 
Mashek and Grummer (2003)
 
Holtenius et al. (2003); Agenas et al. (2003)
 
 
 
Far-off overfeeding (150%) → higher postpartum NEFA and BHBA, lower
postpartum DMI
Douglas et al. (2006)
 
 
Prepartum overfeeding (178%) → higher glucose and insulin prepartum, higher
insulin response to glucose challenge, higher postpartum NEFA, lower DMI
postpartum
Dann et al. (2006)
 
 
Large decreases in prepartum DMI → higher NEFA, liver TG postpartum
 
(1500 lb Holstein; 15 to 18 Mcal NEL/d)
 
Some herds struggle to get enough DMI in
close-up cows
 
 
 
Holsteins ~12 to 13 kg/d (26 to 28 lb/d)
Evaluate feed quality, bunk management, non-nutritional
stressors
Some herds consume large amounts of DM
 
 
 
Holsteins >15 kg/d (>33 lb/d)
Limit grain-type forages, other palatable feeds to control
intake to control intake
Complement with a consistent, low K, bulky forage source
Common Observations with
Prepartum Overfeeding/Excessive
Insulin Resistance
 
 
 
 
 
Large decreases in DMI as cows approach
calving
Low/sluggish increases in DMI in fresh
cows
Rapid BW/BCS loss during postpartum
period
Higher incidence of subclinical and clinical
ketosis and DA
Sometimes lower colostrum yield
Decreased NEFA clearance following glucose challenge in cows overfed (~ 170
vs. 120% calculated energy balance) during the dry period
Slide courtesy of T. R. Overton
64
Watch out for long
g
days dry
Dry Period Intake
Lower glucose and insulin prepartum, lower NEFA and higher DMI postpartum in
cows fed 80% vs. 160% prepartum
Schoenberg et al. (2011)
DMI change
Slide from T. R. Overton
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Evaluation of Nutritional Management
Strategies for Cows with a Short (40-d)
Dry Period (Dann et al., 2008)
Test Day Milk Yield and
Composition
P-value
LH
SE
Diet (D)
Time (T)
Milk, lb
82.1
81.0
2.4
0.72
<0.001
0.74
8
FCM, lb
79.4
81.0
2.4
0.64
<0.001
0.83
7
ECM, lb
80.1
81.4
2.2
0.76
<0.001
0.87
6
Fat, %
3.38
3.51
0.06
0.08
<0.001
0.42
Fat, lb
2.68
2.79
0.06
0.38
<0.001
0.89
True protein, %
3.11
3.10
0.03
0.85
<0.001
0.67
True protein, lb
2.51
2.51
0.07
0.89
<0.001
0.96
Urea N, mg/dL
15.6
15.4
0.2
0.65
<0.001
0.58
SCS
2.0
2.2
0.2
0.47
<0.001
0.72
10
1000
9
BHBA, mg/dL
NEFA, uEq/L
Dry Diet
LL
1200
800
600
400
LL
LH
200
0
-10
-5
0
5
10
Item
5
LL
LH
4
15
3
-10
-5
Day Relative to Parturition
0
5
10
15
Day Relative to Parturition
D×T
Dann et al., 2008
Source of Forage for Prepartum
Diets
Test Day Milk Yield
(Litherland et al., 2010)
120
 
100
80
Milk, lb/d
LL
LH
60
40
 
 
Diet P = 0.72
20
Time P = <0.01
0
Diet x time P = 0.74
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Diet (0.68 NEL Mcal/lb; 15% CP; 37-40% NDF)
contained either 30% (DMB) wheat straw or orchard
grass hay
 
9 10
Test day relative to parturition
No treatment effect on peak milk (115 and 114 lb) and summit milk (108
and 109 lb) for cows fed LL and LH, respectively
 
Same lactation diet (0.73 Mcal NEL/lb; 18% CP; 26% NDF)
No effect of forage source on postpartum DMI, milk,
milk fat:protein, BCS, BW
Cows fed wheat straw had more eating bouts on d 2
and 4 postpartum
Implications for rumen health???
Dann et al., 2008
Chewing and NDF Source;
Similar Particle Size
Particle Size of Forage for
Dry Cows
(Mertens, 1997)
NDF1
Feed
Alfalfa
Total Chewing Activity
% of DM (min/kg of DM)
49
(min/kg of NDF)
61
125
Dried grass
51
63
123
Ryegrass
65
90
139
Grass
65
103
158
Ryegrass
68
104
152
Grass
65
107
165
Oat straw
78
163
209
Oat straw
79
143
181
Oat straw
84
164
195
 
Straw must be
processed or
chopped short
enough to prevent
sorting
 
 
Some mixers with
knives (Keenan)
Pre-chop (tub grinder,
hay buster or forage
harvester)
Chop Straw to
≤ 5.1 cm (2 in)
or ~1/3, 1/3,
1/3 on Penn
State Particle
Separator
5
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
65
Particle Size of Oat Straw for
Dry Cows Diets
What Can We Do in the
Fresh Group?
(Suarez-Mena et al., 2013)
Item
Short
Medium
Geometric mean length (in)
0.4
1.0
Long
3.2
PSPS top, %
30.9
59.4
84.1
9.2
PSPS middle, %
27.1
20.1
PSPS bottom, %
42.0
20.5
6.7
Sorting index
0.60
0.42
0.28
DMI, lb/d
18.5
16.3
20.1
Eating, min/d
218
240
249
 
 
Promote rapid rise in feed intake and
return to positive nutrient balance
Eliminate road blocks
Ruminating, min/d
464
462
479
 
Ruminal pH
6.73
6.72
6.69
 
Rumen volume, L
111
107
116
 
 
Results indicate that fine chopping forage has the same effect on chewing activity,
rumen pH and fill as feeding longer forage while allowing for less sorting
Strategies for Feeding Early
Lactation Cows
 
 
Altering the source of fermentable carbohydrates
 
Changing the availability of glucogenic nutrients
relative to lipogenic nutrients
 
Targeting use of specific fatty acids
 
 
 
 
 
Increase starch, protein or fat components at expense of
 
 
 
Implications for reproductive performance
Implications for reproductive performance
 
 
Implications for immunity and reproductive performance
72 multiparous Holstein cows
40-d dry period
Targeting use of specific fatty acids
 
 
Implications for immunity and reproductive performance
Changing amount and source of metabolizable
protein and amino acids
Ingredient Composition of Diets
(% of Dry Matter)
Item
Dry
Low
Medium
High
Corn silage
30.7 ± 0.3
34.6 ± 0.1
34.6 ± 0.1
34.6 ± 0.1
11.4 ± 0.4
Haylage
11.0 ± 1.0
11.4 ± 0.4
11.7 ± 0.3
Controlled-energy, high-straw diet
Wheat straw
24.9 ± 0.9
4.1 ± 0.1
4.1 ± 0.1
4.1 ± 0.1
-
6.9 ± 0.4
11.1 ± 0.1
16.7 ± 0.4
21% (low), 23% (medium), and 26% (high)
starch diets
Soybean meal
8.6 ± 0.5
11.4 ± 0.1
11.9 ± 0.1
11.9 ± 0.1
Soybean hulls
9.3 ± 0.1
9.7 ± 0.1
6.5 ± 0.2
3.2 ± 0.1
Wheat middlings
-
6.1 ± 0.1
3.9 ± 0.1
1.8 ± 0.1
Canola meal
-
3.1 ± 0.1
6.1 ± 0.1
6.1 ± 0.1
DDGS
-
3.2 ± 0.1
3.1 ± 0.1
3.1 ± 0.1
-
2.5 ± 0.1
-
-
15.5 ± 1.2
7.0 ± 0.3
6.9 ± 0.3
7.1 ± 0.3
91-d lactation period
 
 
forage
Most
studies
“ignore”
the nutrient
Implications
for rumen function,
milk composition,
partitioning, and metabolic hormones
interaction
of
dry
period
Altering the source of fermentable carbohydrates
Implications for acidosis
and intake
nutrition
and risk
fresh
period
Changing the availability of glucogenic nutrients
relative to lipogenic
nutrients
nutrition
 
Changing amount and source of metabolizable
protein and amino acids
 
Increasing the dietary nutrient (energy/protein)
density
Implications for acidosis risk and intake
How Should We Transition Cows
From a Controlled-Energy, HighForage Diet?
 
 
Increase starch, protein or fat components at expense of
forage
Implications for rumen function, milk composition, nutrient
partitioning, and metabolic hormones
 
 
Strategies for Feeding Early
Lactation Cows
Increasing the dietary nutrient (energy/protein)
density
 
Feed quality and consistency
Clinical and subclincal diseases
Stocking density
Cow comfort
Daily time budget
 
)*
')*
)*
Corn meal
.'/.
//'2.
Dann and Nelson, 2011
AminoPlus
Other
Dann and Nelson, 2011
6
66
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Analyzed Chemical Composition
of Diets (% of Dry Matter)
Item
DM, %
CP, %
ADF, %
NDF, %
Starch, %
RFS, %
Sugar, %
Fat, %
Dry
Low
Medium
High
52.9 ± 1.1
49.5 ± 0.7
50.1 ± 0.9
49.6 ± 0.7
13.4 ± 0.2
17.3 ± 0.1
17.0 ± 0.2
16.7 ± 0.2
34.2 ± 0.3
22.9 ± 0.2
21.8 ± 0.2
20.3 ± 0.3
50.7 ± 0.3
35.7 ± 0.3
33.9 ± 0.4
31.9 ± 0.3
13.5 ± 0.4
21.0 ± 0.3
23.2 ± 0.3
25.5 ± 0.3
11.5 ± 0.5
16.8 ± 0.5
18.9 ± 0.6
20.2 ± 0.5
4.5 ± 0.1
6.1 ± 0.1
5.8 ± 0.1
5.9 ± 0.1
2.6 ± 0.1
4.0 ± 0.1
4.1 ±0.1
Starch Intake Affected Dry
Matter Intake
Trt: P = 0.06
Time: P < 0.001
Trt x Time: P = 0.09
LL > HH: P ≤ 0.10
4.2 ±0.1
RFS = rumen fermentable starch
Dann and Nelson, 2011
Higher Starch at Calving Had Some
Negative Effects on Performance
Through the 1st 13 Weeks
LL
MH
HH
SE
P - value
DMI, lb/d
55.4x
54.8xy
52.1y
1.1
0.06
Milk, lb/d
105.4ab
109.8a
97.2b
3.5
0.04
SCM, lb/d
104.3
105.4
95.7
3.3
0.09
Fat, %
3.88x
3.64y
3.79xy
0.08
0.08
4.2x
4.1xy
3.8y
0.1
0.09
Item
Fat, lb/d
True protein, %
2.90
2.92
2.97
0.04
0.52
True protein, lb/d
3.1ab
3.3a
2.9b
0.09
0.03
Milk/DMI
1.92
2.02
1.87
0.06
0.18
9.3
8.8
7.8
1.1
0.15
BHBA, mg/dL (wk 1-3)
ab
P ≤ 0.05;
xy
P ≤ 0.10
Risk of Ruminal Acidosis (SARA)
is Increased in Fresh Cows
 
 
 
Prolonged systemic inflammation
can…
 
 
 
1 to 5 d
5.74
5.38
5.37
Mean pH
6.32
5.96
5.95
17-19 d
SARA, h/d
1.1
7.3
9.0
Why?
 
Abrupt change in fermentable carbohydrate intake
after calving
Feeding behavior changes associated with grouping
and pen movement strategies
 
Heifers may be more susceptible
Minimize the Risk of SARA
 
Prevent depression in intake before calving
 
Causes significant changes in the
energy and lipid metabolism
Lead to the development of refractory
states associated with immune
suppression and increased
susceptibility to various diseases
Increase the cow’s requirements in
energy and nutrients, thereby
lowering the efficiency of energy and
feed use by the cow
!'#/-./
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
-5 to -1 d
Minimum pH
 
 
Short-term inflammation is beneficial
to the cow
(Fairfield et al.,
Dann and Nelson, 2011
LPS is an endotoxin (bacterial) that it
is capable of eliciting an immune
response (i.e. inflammation) in the
cow once it enters the blood
circulation.
 
2007; Penner et al., 2007)
Item
A model for the activation of the acute phase
response and the release of acute phase proteins
in the blood of dairy cows triggered by subacute
ruminal acidosis (SARA)
 
SARA increased dramatically after calving
Negatively affects ruminal epithelial function
Proper formulation of diets to optimize intake of
fermentable carbohydrates, peNDF, and endogenous
buffering capacity
 
Consistent delivery of diets with minimal variation in
composition
 
Continuous access to feed so meals are small and regular…
avoiding slug feeding
 
Inclusion of appropriate feed additives that mitigate low
ruminal pH
67
Optimizing Rumen Function in
Transition Cows to Drive Intake
and Energy Balance
 
Recommendations for Fresh
Cows
(Low insulin, insulin resistant, high NEFA)
Rumen dysfunction affects rumen
microbes…
 
 
 
 
Maintain rumen fill during transition period
 
Less efficient digestion
Decreased feed intake
Exacerbating the negative energy balance
 
Forages with long ruminal retention time (grass,
straw)
Avoid feeding highly fermentable diets to fresh
cows (may be ~7 to 21 d)
 
Rapid production and absorption of propionate will
suppress intake (Allen and Bradford, 2011)
 
 
 
Propionate Control of Feed
Intake
Fresh Cow Feeding
Guidelines for Carbohydrates
(Stocks and Allen, 2012)
 
But depends on NEFA status
Ground corn is good choice…moderate ruminal
fermentability, high small intestinal digestibility
Use of nonforage fiber sources
Infused propionate was more hypophagic (reduced
meal size) when hepatic acetyl CoA concentrations
were elevated…i.e. cows were in a lipolytic state
 
Group fresh cows separately and use a fresh cow diet
 
Balanced carbohydrate blend
 
 
 
Acetic acid
 
 
Propionic acid
~21-24% starch
4-6% sugar
9-10% soluble fiber
34-38% NFC
28-34% NDF
 
Ensure adequate peNDF
 
Formulate in the context of the dry and high group diets
Rumen Fill Scores Can Estimate
Changes in Intake (r = 0.68)
Recommendations for Early to
Mid Lactation Cows
(Burfeind et al., 2010; J. Dairy Sci. 93:3635)
(High glucose demand, low NEFA, low satiety signals, gut fill)
 
Feed less filling, more fermentable diet as
gut fill limits intake
 
 
 
 
Indicated by lower blood NEFA and BHBA,
visual of gut fill (distension), increasing intake
Forages with short retention time (alfalfa, corn
silage)
Moderate to highly fermentable grains
Limit feed ingredients that depress ruminal
motility…fat and sugar sources
Just a starting
point…adjust
for digestibility
and particle
size
Appearance of Paralumbar Fossa
RF Score
Relationship to transverse
processes
Relationship to last rib
Shape
1
Cavitates a hand’s width
Cavitates a hand’s width
behind it
Empty triangle
Triangle
2
Cavitates less than hand’s width
Cavitates a hand’s width
behind it
3
Falls ~hand’s width vertically down
and then bulges out
Cavitates less than a hand’s
width behind it
-
4
Arches out immediately below it
Skin is covering the area
behind it
Bulges out directly
5
Not visible
Not visible
Rumen almost
obliterates it
Allen and Bradford, 2011
68
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
The Power of Rumination
– Early Disease Prevention
 
 
Rumination Should Rapidly
Increase After Calving
(Soriani et al., 2012)
Facilitate digestion,
particle size reduction,
and subsequent passage
from the reticulo-rumen…
allowing high levels of
feed intake
Multiparous
Primiparous
Increase saliva secretion…
improving rumen function
by buffering
Prepartum Rumination is
Related to Postpartum Health
(Soriani et al., 2012)
Long
57% NDF
32% NDF
Daily Rumination Time of Health and
(later diagnosed) Diseased Cows in
the 1st Week
Short
Middle
Short
Long
Middle
T. Breunig, 9/14/12 www.progressivedairy.com
Fresh Animal with Low
Rumination Time
Crude Protein in
Prepartum Diets
 
Fresh
Ketosis Metritis
Results are mixed when increasing prepartum
crude protein (Bell et al., 2000)
DA surgery
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
69
Why Are Results Mixed When
Increasing CP Prepartum?
 
 
Need to consider source/quality of
protein…not just amount
Variable relationship between CP
intake and MP and/or AA supply
Depends on…
 
 
 
 
(CPM v. 3)
17.7% CP
-400
70 lb milk
-600
100 lb milk
85 lb milk
-800
-1000
14
Day
Calculated Metabolizable Protein (MP)
Balance of Cows Fed 17.8% CP
Potential Deficiencies in
Metabolizable Protein
(CPM v. 3)
21
Day
7
14
17.7% CP
200
0
7 
Fresh Cows Experience Negative
Protein Balance
15.5% CP
-200
-1200
During the first 3 weeks of
lactation cows mobilize protein to
satisfy the mammary gland’s
demand for amino acids and
glucose
Bell et al., 2000; Proc. Nutr. Soc. 59:119
Potential Deficiencies in
Metabolizable Protein
200
“Opportunity” area in diet
formulation for dry and fresh cows
Cow’s demand for
glucose increases
immediately after
calving and is met
in part by
increased usage
of amino acids for
glucose synthesis
by liver
Bell et al., 2000; Proc. Nutr. Soc. 59:119 (Data from Overton et al., 1998)
Metabolizable Protein
Balance, g/d
 
DMI
Quality of protein and AA composition
Fermentable carbohydrates for ruminal
microbial protein synthesis
Liver’s Capacity to Convert
Glucogenic Amino Acids is
Upregulated in Early Lactation
70
 
21
Metabolizable Protein
Balance, g/d
 
Metabolizable Protein and
Amino Acids
15.5% CP
0
-200
-400
70 lb milk
-600
100 lb milk
85 lb milk
-800
-1000
-1200
7 
14
21
Day
7
14
21
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Prevent Protein Mobilization
Before Calving
 
Protein mobilization may
occur before calving in
advance of lipid
mobilization (van der Drift et al., 2012)
 
Mobilization of
labile protein
reserves before
calving reduces the
amount available
after calving
French 2012 Review
(2012 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop Post-Conference)
 
Generated prepartum
metabolizable protein database
from 12 published studies, 30
treatments, 382 animals
Multiparous cows
3 or 4 wk prepartum to 3 or 4 wk
postpartum
  Rations and cows described to model
in CNCPS
 
 
Timing of protein
mobilization is
related to
hyperketonemia (van
 
der Drift et al., 2012)
French 2012 Review
(2012 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop Post-Conference)
French 2012 Review
(2012 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop Post-Conference)
Goal: ~1200-1300 g/d
Goal: ~30 g/d
Goal: ~90 g/d
Removed experiments where early lactation MP was <75% of
requirements…poor relationship otherwise (R2 = 0.12)
Meeting the MP and AA
Needs of Transition Cows
 
Close-up cows
 
 
 
Protein Recommendations
for Fresh Cows
 
1100 -1300 g/d MP
25-30 g/d Met
90 g/d Lys
Maximize MP balance and quality
 
 
 
 
Fresh cows
 
 
Moving target for MP, minimize duration and
severity of negative protein balance
Balance for Lys and Met
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
Optimize ruminal fermentation and microbial
protein synthesis
 
 
 
Sufficient RDP and fermentable carbohydrates
Use high quality RUP to provide digestible
amino acids
Use ruminally protected amino acids
Especially for lower CP diets
Feed dry cows adequate MP
(Van Saun et al., 1993; Moorby et
al., 1996)
71
Amino Acid Supply in Early
Lactation
 
Few studies focus on fresh period
 
Lysine and methionine limiting in wk 4
 
Factor in regulating milk yield and milk protein
production (Schei et al., 2005)
 
Risk of Conception and Dietary
Crude Protein Content in Early
Lactation Cows
(Lean et al., 2012)
(Schwab et al., 1992)
Lysine supplementation is preferentially used to
support body protein turnover then milk protein
synthesis in early lactation (Robinson et al., 2011)
9% reduction in conception with high CP or high degradable CP
Reduced Dietary Crude Protein
Diets in Early Lactation
 
 
Management – Focus on
Minimizing Stress
Modification of diet to reduce CP by
~1% by removing soluble CP and
replacing with RP Lys and Met
1 to 42 DIM
 
 
Maintained productivity (76 lb/d)
Increased proportion of dietary N captured
in milk protein (37.6 vs 34.2%)
Robinson et al., 2004
Prepartum Heat Abatement
Improves Milk Production
72
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Relationship between Rectal
Temperature of Late Gestation Cows
and Milk in Subsequent Lactation
Heat Abatement in Dry Cows –
Positive Effect on Immunity
(9 studies)
Item
Heat Stress Cooling
do Amaral et al., 2009
Lymphocyte proliferation, %
45
169
Neutrophil phagocytosis, % (2/20 DIM)
42/49
61/62
Oxidative burst, % (2/20 DIM)
33/36
47/52
Adin et al., 2009
Colostrum, L
Colostrum IgG, g/L
6.1
8.6
56.8
77.5
P ≤ 0.05
Review by Tao and Dahl, 2013
Moving Cows Between Pens and
Social Turmoil: Transition Cow
The Social “Support” Group
Weekly Entry into Pen
Agonistic Interactions
Agonistic Interactions
Daily Entry into Pen
M W F S T T S M W F S T T S
Day
M W F S T T S M W F S T T S
Day
Nordlund et al., 2006
Weekly Entrance Close-Up Pen
(TRD) Vs. All-In-All-Out (AIAO)
Lobeck et al., 2012 JAM; Silva et al., 2013
 
 
100% stall; 92% headlocks at d 1
87% for TRD
72% for AIAO
 
Weekly Entrance Close-Up Pen
(TRD) Vs. All-In-All-Out (AIAO)
TRD: ~10 cows
entered weekly @
254 ± 7 d gestation
(n = 308)
AIAO: groups of 44
cows for 5 wk max.
(n = 259)
Weekly entrance
pen had 2X more
displacements at
feed bunk
(agonistic
interactions)
Silva et al., 2013
13
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
73
The Calving Pen is an Important
Facility Since it Affects the Wellbeing of the Cow and Newborn Calf
Goals: 1) low stress environment, 2) low health risk for cow and calf,
3) convenience for people, & 4) opportunity for seclusion
Bedded Pack with Calving Blind vs.
Individual Maternity Pen
Preliminary Data Miner Institute
Item
Pack with Blind
Individual Pen
Calvings, #
30
24
Calvings in blind, #
12
6 (in blind at
move)
Blind occupied by other, #
Calving difficulty
Assisted calvings, #
Time from 1st lateral contraction to
birth, min
Rumination, min/d
(1st
21 DIM)
4
4
1.6
1.8
7 (23%)
11 (46%)
98
124
367
324
Individual maternity pen, bedded pack, or enhanced calving pen
Grouping Fresh Cows – Are
There Benefits of Separate
Housing and Feeding?
 
 
Allows dairies to facilitate monitoring of health
problems, minimize social stress, and provide a
diet specifically formulated for fresh cows
1 mo separate housing vs. comingling with herd
(Østergaard et al., 2010)
 
 
Primiparous cows, but not multiparous cows,
produced ~230 kg (506 lb) more of energycorrected milk from 0 to 305 DIM and had less
ketosis treatments when housed separately
Did not use a “fresh cow diet”…probably see more
benefits of separate groups
Use of High-Risk and LowRisk Fresh Cow Pens
 
Opportunity for large dairies
Target specialized management time to
cows that need it
Decrease lock-up time for exam and
treatment
Decrease time away from stalls
 
Milking frequency adjustment (2x vs. 3x)
 
 
 
 
Rest for lame and sick cows
http://thedairylandinitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu/tdi/ac_group_size.htm
Conclusions
 
No “one size fits all”
approach
No “One Size Fits All” Approach
But There are Some Common
Themes
 
 
 
74
Interactions of
nutrition,
environment, &
management
 
 
Do not overfeed during the dry period
Formulate the fresh diet in the context
of the dry and high group diets
Optimize rumen function
Monitor and adjust diets for forage
changes (DM, chemical composition,
digestibility, particle size)
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
No “One Size Fits All” Approach
But There are Some Common
Themes (continued)
 
 
 
Provide appropriate fermentable
carbohydrates and adequate peNDF in
fresh diets
Manage to minimize stressors
Use real-time monitoring and the
information it provides
www.whminer.org
[email protected]
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
75
What is a fresh cow?
  Is there a fresh group?
  How long do cows stay on the fresh cow
diet?
HOT Feeding Strategies
for Early Lactation
•  What dictates the length of time?
  What controls feed intake?
Sarah Stocks, PhD
Diamond V
•  Hepatic oxidation?
•  How do we feed cows to minimize the risk of
DA and acidosis?
  How do we characterize diseases/
disorders?
Transition cow challenges
  DMI is typically reduced prior to calving.
  During the last 2 weeks prior to calving,
plasma insulin concentration decreases
and plasma NEFA concentration
increases.
  Gradual increase in intake postpartum,
intake may be limited by hepatic oxidation.
Gulay
y et al.,, 2004 JDS
Hepatic oxidation theory (HOT)
  The liver is “hard-wired” to brain feeding centers via
the hepatic vagus nerve.
  The firing rate of the hepatic vagus controls feeding
behavior.
•  Decreased firing rate causes satiety
•  Increased firing rate causes hunger
  The firing rate is affected by oxidation of fuels.
•  Increased oxidation decreases the firing rate (satiety)
•  Decreased oxidation increases the firing rate (hunger)
  Feed intake is a function of meal size (satiety) and
intermeal interval (hunger).
3
76
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Fuels oxidized by the ruminant liver
  OXIDIZED:
•  Fatty acids
−  Diet
−  Adipose
• 
• 
• 
• 
Propionate Flux to the Liver
Increases Dramatically at Meals
  NOT OXIDIZED
•  Glucose
•  Acetate
Amino acids
Lactate
Glycerol
Propionate
Feeding
Benson et al., 2002
Effect of increased fermentability on
DMI
DMI, kg/d
Meal Size, kg
Intermeal
interval, min
High Moisture
Corn
20.8
1.9
Dry Corn
93.9
22.5*
2.3*
105.0
Control of feed intake in the
periparturient period
  (!& !( !!$
! $ ("'"
3,65554/
  ! .
2  !)(!&$ !$(
3"%!!!!-,65574/
2  ! & !& 1
!"3,65574/
2  ( )3,65574/
Oba and Allen, 2003
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
77
Causes of periparturient intake
suppression
glucose
pyruvate
plasma insulin
plasma glucose
TCA
acetyl CoA
lipolysis, lipogenesis
AcAc
hypophagia
NEFA
ßHBA
+ propionate
propionate
NEFA
hepatic oxidation
DMI through the day
DMI response
p
byy dayy
Trt = 0.007
Day = 0.53
Trt*day = 0.47
17.5
DMI 0-24 h TRT, P < 0.01
DM
14.3
DMI 4-24 h TRT, P = 0.22
DM
DMI 0-4 h TRT, P < 0.01
DM
12
78
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Interaction of DMI and acetyl CoA
Intake responses
P
Acetate Propionate
DMI, kg/d
SE
TRT
Cov
Cov*TRT
14.3
0.68
<0.01
-
-
13.9
0.58
0.72
0.30
0.07
17.4
Covariate = Acetyl CoA
DMI, kg/d
17.5
TRT*Acetyl CoA int., P = 0.07
Covariate = Plasma NEFA
,0
18.1
14.4
0.95
0.42
0.16
0.10
Liver and plasma metabolite and
hormone responses
P
Acetate
Propionate
SE
TRT
TRT*Day
$ ,0
48.1
50.8
2.16
0.19
0.42
$,+0
2.36
3.99
1.39
0.18
0.55
$,0
176
168
40.1
0.73
0.30
,+0
910
747
181.6
0.42
0.33
BHBA, mg/dL
18.8
5.1
2.82
< 0.01
0.001
!(,0
7.58
2.85
1.92
0.04
0.44
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
Treatment by day interaction for BHBA
TRT, P = 0.01
Day, P = 0.31
TRT*Day interaction,
interac
P < 0.001
79
Practical implications
glucose
pyruvate
TCA
acetyl CoA
AcAc
ßHBA
propionate
80
NEFA
  Manage and feed cows to minimize body
condition gain in late lactation and through the
dry period
  Limit fermentability of diets fed during the
postpartum period to limit:
•  Effects of propionate on intake, especially
with over-conditioned cows
•  Acid production when rumen not full and
with limited buffering capacity
  How long should the cows receive a fresh cow
diet?
Possible approaches
Other management strategies
  Use less fermentable starch sources such
as dry ground corn for early lactation cows
  Maintain starch level in diet to provide
glucose precursors to support milk
production
  Maintain rumen fill by providing adequate
forage in the diet
  Monitor BCS through late lactation and the dry
period
•  Target BCS of 3.0-3.25 at calving
  Have a plan for monitoring metabolic status of closeup and fresh cows at the herd level
•  Pre-fresh plasma NEFA concentration
•  Fresh cow plasma BHBA concentration
  Minimize sorting of the diet
  Avoid over-crowding close-up and fresh cows
  Consider timing of moving cows out of fresh pen
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Strategies for improving DMI in
early lactation dairy cows
  Management
  Minerals
–  Hypocalcemia
  Energy
–  Maintenance lactation diets
–  Controlled energy dry cow diets
–  BMR corn silage
  The Fresh cow diet
–  Is SARA still around?
–  Starch levels
  Diamond V
Strategies for
Improving DMI in Early
Lactation Dairy Cows
Dr. Bill Stone
Around Calving
Hypocalcemia
%
%&#
Decreasing DMI
Decreasing DMI
"
Around Calving
$
"!
(Slide courtesy
of
Dr. Jesse Goff)
DMI
"
$
"!
!
Hypocalcemia
%
%&#
!
$!
$!
Improve DMIfrom what?
Relative Neutrophil Function
Relative neutrophil function
80
Percent of lab standard
75
  Intakes known from accurate feeding
records (amount fed, amount left over,
TMR DM) and animal numbers
  This group should be over-fed (>5%)
  Precision Xtra BHBA meter
70
65
60
55
50
-5
-4
Kehrli, 2004
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Time relative to calving (wk)
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
81
2 more pounds or 2 more percent
of NEL in the diet?
 2 Lbs. * 0.77 Mcal Nel/Lb = 1.54 Mcal
 0.77 to 0.79 at 40 Lbs. DMI = 0.80 Mcal
– Energy levels are increased with more
digestible forages (that’s OK), or
carbohydrates and fats at the expense of
fiber
Transition cow management
influences performance
  Bunk space
  Surface cushion
  Appropriately sized stalls, packs, and shades
  Effective screening program to find cows
needing attention
  Excessive pen moves
  “Try as we mayno effect of nutrition”
K. Nordlund, 2011 Four-State Nutrition and Mgmt Conf
Uniform vs. Actual Calving Numbers, 700 cow dairy
90
Transition cow management
influences performance
Number of Calvings
80
70
60
50
Uniform
40
Actual
30
20
  Animal stress also increases the release of
the stress related hormones epinephrine and
norepinephrine, which can enhance adipose
mobilization and increase NEFA levels
10
0
J F M A M J
J A S O N D
Month
Strategies for improving DMI in early
lactation dairy cows
  Minerals
–  Hypocalcemia
  Energy
–  Maintenance lactation diets
–  Controlled energy dry cow diets
–  BMR corn silage
  The Fresh cow diet
–  Is SARA still around?
–  Starch levels
  Diamond V
82
Allen, Bradford, and Oba. J. Anim Sci 87:3317
Stone NRAES 2000
Evaluation of peripartal calcium status, energetic
profile, and neutrophil function in dairy cows at low
or high risk of developing uterine disease
Martinez et al., 2012 J. Dairy Sci
  Commercial Florida dairy, feeding anionic salts
  Paired a High Risk for Metritis (HRM; dystocia,
twins, stillbirth, RP) cow at calving with a normal
cow
  110 cows; 74 multiparous, 36 primiparous
  Monitored daily for rectal temps and uterine
discharge (1-12 DIM)
  Blood collected on d 0, 1-4, 7, 12 DIM for
minerals, NEFA, BHBA, glucose
  No calcium administered
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Hypocalcemia and metritis
Hypocalcemia and metritis
Martinez et al., J. Dairy Sci. 2012
Martinez et al., J. Dairy Sci. 2012
  8.6 mg/dl – the blood Ca level that best
predicted metritis
  65% of cows were hypocalcemic
  47% incidence of metritis (brown and stinky)
  Cows with SCH had a 3.24 times greater risk of
developing metritis compared with
normocalcemic cows
  Cows with metritis that were able to maintain
their serum calcium levels above 8.59 mg/dl had
rectal temps similar to those cows that did not
develop metritis
  Calcium levels were lower in High Risk for
Metritis cows, and in cows that developed
metritis
  Cows with subclinical hypocalcemia (<8.6 mg/
dL) within 3 days of calving had fewer
neutrophils, and they were not as effective
  Cows with subclinical hypocalcemia (<8.6 mg/
dL) within 3 days of calving had elevated serum
NEFA and BHBA
Effect of anion supplementation to low
potassium (1.29%) prepartum diets
Controlling hypocalcemia and its
consequences
Ramos-Nieves, 2009 J. Dairy Sci.
  Cows supplemented with SoyChlor had elevated
blood calcium levels on d 1, but calcium levels
did not differ after this.
  Control and Acidified cows averaged less than
8.6 mg/dL for the first three days of lactation, yet
metritis levels were low (personal observation).
  Environment and blood calcium levels interact to
determine levels of infection.
  Higher intakes around calving
  Anions help
  Higher dietary mineral levels in fresh diets?
  Calcium boluses?
  Clean, low-stress environment
Strategies for improving DMI in early
lactation dairy cows
Effect
of of
Fatness
on Prefresh
CUD DMI DMI
Effect
BCS on
  Minerals
14
  Energy
–  Maintenance lactation diets
–  Controlled energy dry cow diets
–  BMR corn silage
  The Fresh cow diet
–  Is SARA still around?
–  Starch levels
  Diamond V
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
kg / day
–  Hypocalcemia
12
10
Thin Cows
8
Fat Cows
6
-21
-18
Adapted from Hayirili, 1998
-15
-12
-9
-6
-3
0
Days From Calving
Slide courtesy of Tom Overton
83
The effect of BCS at calving on DMI
Body Condition Control
 Lactating cows
– Increase their production; use BST
– Get cows pregnant
– Prevent milk fat depression
– Maintenance diets
< 2.0
■ 2.5 – 3.0
● > 3.5
 Dry cows
– Controlled energy diets
Garnsworthy and Topps 1982; slide courtesy of Dr. Garnsworthy
Hepatic Oxidation Theory –
later lactation cows
  Rumen fill is no longer limiting DMI,
glucose demand is decreasing; Hepatic
Oxidation regains prominence in DMI control
  Somatotropin levels are decreasing
  Insulin sensitivity is increasing (adipose)
  Propionate spikes could result in glucose
spikes, increasing insulin and directing
nutrients away from the udder and to adipose
Allen, J. Anim. Sci. 2009
Starch type and level can influence
metabolic fuel usage
  Cows fed the High starch diets had elevated
levels of blood glucose and insulin as compared
to those fed the Low starch diets
  In later lactation cows, insulin could direct a
greater portion of energy to adipose formation
and less to milk production
Oba and Allen J. Dairy Sci 86:184
84
Starch type and level can influence
metabolic fuel usage
  Cows were fed high (~ 31%) or low
(~ 21%) starch diets
  Corn source was HMSC or corn meal
  Ruminal fermentation of HMSC > corn meal
  Starch fermented in the rumen goes mainly to
propionate; intestinally digested, glucose,
converted to lactate
  With the same starch source, higher starch
levels will result in increased ruminal
fermentable starch
Oba and Allen J. Dairy Sci 86:184
Nutritional approach with HOT –
later lactation cows
  Reduce propionate spikes, especially if
excessive BCS is an issue
  Substitute dry corn for HMSC
  Haylage for corn silage
  Fermentable fiber (soyhulls and acetate) for
starch (HMSC and propionate)
  Reduce starch levels to ~ 20%
  Maintain ME and MP at desired production
levels
  Correct any milk fat depression
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Dry cows like to eat!
  They can easily consume 40-80% more
energy than they require
  When they do this, they put on fat – both
internally (especially abdominal) and
subcutaneously (BCS)
  Visceral (abdominal) fat is more rapidly
mobilized post-freshening, leading to an
increase in metabolic disorders
Low E ~ 0.60 Mcal NEL/Lb.
High E ~ 0.70 Mcal NEL/Lb.
Slide courtesy of Dr. Jim Drackley
Adipose tissue depots in non-lactating, nonpregnant cows after being fed diets for 57 days
Excessive dietary energy leads to greater visceral
fat deposition in thin cows than in fat cows;
BCS doesn’t tell the whole story
54 Lbs. more abdominal fat
Nikkhah et al., 2008
Controlled energy diets
  Energy intake is reduced or “controlled” by
feeding high NDF forages to limit intake and
reduce ration energy levels
  Straw or grass hay is commonly used
  Must be chopped short enough to minimize
sorting
  Controlled energy diets help to reduce gains in
BCS during the dry period, increase intakes
during the peri-partum period, and make cows
more “metabolically active”
Slide courtesy of Dr. Jim Drackley
Nikkhah et al., 2008
Summary of Results from the Feeding of Controlled
Energy Diets During the Prepartum Period
Cardoso et al., J. Dairy Sci. 2013
  Postpartum energy intake is affected more by
energy intake in the Far-off than Close-up period
  Cows fed CE diets during the CU period tended (P =
0.10) to have higher intakes (2.4 Lbs/d) during the
Postpartum period than those fed HE diets during
the CU period
  Cows Fed Controlled Energy diets during the Closeup period lost less body condition during the
postpartum period than cows fed High Energy diets
Janovick and Drackley, 2010, J. Dairy Sci.
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
85
DMI of cows fed BMR or Conventional
corn silage during the transition period
What about brown midrib corn
silage?
30
25
Kg/day
20
BMR
Control
15
10
DMI d -14 to -1 14.3 vs. 13.2, P < 0.03
DMI d 0 – 21
20.2 vs. 18.2, P < 0.001
5
-25
-15
0
-5
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
75
85
95
105
Days before or after calving
Stone et al., J. Dairy Sci., 2012
3.5% FCM of cows fed BMR or Conventional
corn silage during the transition period
Strategies for improving DMI in early
lactation dairy cows
Kg/d
  Minerals
–  Hypocalcemia
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
  Energy
BMR
Control
Solids yield 5.82 vs. 5.51 kg/d, P < 0.03 wk 4-15
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Week of lactation
Stone et al., 2012 J. Dairy Sci.
Strategies for improving DMI in early
lactation dairy cows
  Minerals
–  Hypocalcemia
  Energy
–  Maintenance lactation diets
–  Controlled energy dry cow diets
–  BMR corn silage
  The Fresh cow diet
–  Is SARA still around?
–  Starch levels
16
–  Maintenance lactation diets
–  Controlled energy dry cow diets
–  BMR corn silage
  The Fresh cow diet (Dr. Dann will discuss this)
–  Is SARA still around?
–  Starch levels
  Diamond V
Proprietary Technology
  Penicillin – Penicillium fungi
  Avermectins – Streptomyces
avermitilis
  Monensin -- Streptomyces
cinnamonensis
  Diamond V “Nutritional
metabolites” (organic acids/
malate, polyphenols/
antioxidants, peptides,
nucleotides, phytosterols,
mannans, beta glucans) –
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  Diamond V
86
November 12-13  Grantville, PA
Effect of DV on Transition Cow Intake
DMI, lb/d
Treatment
Prepartum
Control
d -7 to -1
17
21
22.5
26.3
33.5
6.4
d -20 to -1
DV
DMI by Stage of Lactation
P value
Treatment
Trt x Day
21.6
24
0.01
0.10
0.48
0.32
26.5
30.2
36.3
3.7
0.07
0.05
0.12
.05
0.04
0.43
0.24
d 1 - 42
Postpartum
d 1 to 21
d 1 – 42
d 1 - 140
NEL from
body stores
Dann, Drackley, Hutjens, Garrett. J. Dairy Sci. 2000
What Are Functional Claims?
  Functional claims relate the effect of a nutrient,
ingredient, or a feed to a bodily function.
  For example: “Diamond V Original Product
supports dry matter intake”
  FDA’s position is that functional claims for feeds
must be based on the component’s taste, aroma
or nutritive value (reference: CVM Guide
1240.3605).
Slide courtesy of Dr. Gerald Poppy, from Poppy et al., 2012, J. Dairy Sci.
Who Reviews Functional Claims?
  FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is
responsible for reviewing and enforcing
  Products that carry a functional claim are not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease. This would be considered a drug claim.
  Five peer-reviewed studies with all of the
individual animal data were submitted to the
FDA
Diamond V FDA Functional Claim
Scientific Validation
  Helps support dry matter intake (DMI) of dairy
cows when fed as part of a total mixed ration
during the first 70 days of lactation
CHANGE IN DMI AND MILK YIELD*
Difference in DMI
Stage of
Lactation
lb/
head/
day
Pvalue
First 70
days of
lactation
1.37
Mid-late
lactation
-1.72
Difference in Milk
Yield
95%
CI
lb/
head/
day
P-value
95%
CI
0.003
0.46 to 2.24
3.02
0.001
1.21 to 3.98
0.008
-2.99 to -0.46
2.16
0.049
0.02 to 4.29
* Poppy et al., 2012, J. Dairy Sci.
2013 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop
87
Strategies for improving DMI in
early lactation dairy cows
  Management
  Minerals
–  Hypocalcemia
  Energy
–  Maintenance lactation diets
–  Controlled energy dry cow diets
–  BMR corn silage
  The Fresh cow diet
–  Is SARA still around?
–  Starch levels
  Diamond V
88
Thanks!
November 12-13  Grantville, PA