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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Fresh Cow Health Issues, Jerry D. Olson
Fresh Cow Health Issues, Jerry D. Olson
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The post-calving period is a critical time in a cow's life. The first few weeks post-calving pose the highest risk period for a number of diseases including milk fever, mastitis, metritis, pneumonia, retained fetal membranes, ketosis, and displaced abomasum. Post-calving diseases adversely affect dry matter intake, peak milk production, and reproductive performance, in addition to increasing the risk of involuntary culling and death. Consequences of disease can be costly. The ideal strategy is to minimize losses associated with disease by preventing their occurrence. However, even with the best management practices in place, it is impossible to prevent all post-calving diseases. …
Transition Cow Nutrition And Management, John E. Shirley
Transition Cow Nutrition And Management, John E. Shirley
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Dairy cows are generally provided with a 60-day dry period. The first part of the dry period is called the "far-off dry period" beginning at dry off and continuing until 21 days before projected calving date. The second part of the dry period is called the "close-up dry period" beginning at 21 days before projected calving date and ending at parturition. Diets formulated for far-off dry cows are generally high in forage and are designed to support body maintenance and fetal growth. Rumen function and microbial populations adjust to these diets by the end of the far-off period and require …