Prevention milk fever during the dry period
For guidelines, see ‘guideline ration transition phase’ Mark van Kleef
Mark van Kleef
Last Update a year ago
If there are problems with hypocalcemia and milk fever after calving, there are a few important steps you to follow:
1. Is the dry matter intake sufficient in the close-up period? In the last 2 weeks before calving, the DM intake should be at least 12 kg.
2. Is there sufficient magnesium and not too much phosphorus in the close-up ration? See the blood results and reference values for the close-up period.
3. Choose a dry period strategy:
- Limit the calcium supply to dry cows as much as possible.
By feeding less calcium in the dry period, the absorption of calcium from the intestine will improve. If more calcium is provided during calving, this will lead to a higher absoption of calcium. This is an old theory that is increasingly being questioned.
- Lowering the cation-anion balance (DCAD)
By lowering the DCAD (reducing cations such as potassium and adding anions such as chloride or sulphate), calcium metabolism from the bones is stimulated. This can be done in stages. If the DCAD becomes negative, it is important to measure the pH value of the urine. Remember that different DCAD values also correspond to different Ca levels in the ration.
- Feeding calcium binders
Calcium binders extract calcium and phosphorus from the close-up ration. This stimulates calcium metabolism from the bones. So remember that in the blood results of the close-up cows, the phosphorus level in the blood can fall below the reference value. In this case, this is a desired effect. Calcium binders can only be fed during the close-up period and not during the entire dry period.
- High-calcium ration
If this can be monitored well, a hypercalcemic ration is sometimes chosen. This means that there is at least 180 grams of calcium in the close-up ration. The absorption from the intestine is then sufficient to cover the entire calcium demand. This strategy can be combined with lowering the DCAD for a better effect. Make sure that the animals also receive sufficient calcium via the ration after calving.