HEAL ▶▶▶TH
The transition cow: A holistic approach
For dairy cows, the transition period around calving is critical: 75% of health problems in dairy cows occur during this time. The economic consequences of these problems are huge, due to resulting losses in production and impaired reproduction.
BY GUILLAUME OLIVIER, RUMINANT MARKETING MANAGER, WISIUM T
his period also has important consequences on the expression of lactation peak and on milk production across the whole lactation: about 10–15% of herd dairy potential depends on feeding before calving,
and 20–30% on feeding until the lactation peak ( Sandles, 1999). This period is highly critical for dairy farmers.
Holistic approach The different metabolic issues affecting transition cows have strong and complex interrelationships. This period is an im- portant time of metabolic changes and stress for dairy cows. External factors, such as housing and group management, strongly affect the cows’ stress levels. A holistic approach, tak- ing into account the whole transition period and the main metabolic challenges, is required.
Figure 1 - Transi Up program. Transiup Days - 60
Calving preparation - 21
CALVING
Lactation peak + 45
+ 100 LATE LACTATION DRY EARLY LACTATION Critical stage of the peri-partum Specialties Micro Premix TRANSIDRY TRANSIDCAD
Energy Drink
TRANSIFRESH HEPATOTECH TRANSILACTA
Many metabolic challenges Let us consider the following five main metabolic challenges for transition cows: • Adaptation of the rumen: Dry ration decreases the sur- face area of rumen papillae (Dieho et al., 2016), by up to 50%. Nutrient requirements increase sharply after calving, leading to much more concentrated diets. However, it takes three to four weeks to modify the fermentation profile of the rumen microflora, due to the slow development of bacteria using lactate, and at least five weeks to regain full development of ruminal papillae (Oetzel, 1998). A diet transition in early lactation that is too abrupt can lead to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids or lactate in the rumen and cause ruminal acidosis, with severe consequences for appetite and digestive functions. • Decreased immunity and increased oxidative stress: A decrease of immunity is a natural response by mammals to parturition. Production of pro-oxidant molecules increases after calving in relation to stress (Sordillo and Aitken, 2009). A strong imbalance between pro- and antioxidant factors is a major cause of metabolic diseases. • Inflammation: Inflammation is part of the complex biologi- cal response of the immune system that can be triggered by pathogens, damaged cells and toxic compounds (Ferrero- Miliani et al., 2007). However, a systemic inflammatory
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▶ DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 8, No. 3, 2021
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