Prediction of Energy Balance Based on Milk Parameters Across Different Lactation Stages

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 10 - 14, 26.03.2025

Vildan Koçbeker

https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1571558

Abstract

Following the changes observed in milk parameters throughout the lactation period will offer an easy and practical method for the evaluation of the feeding programs of animals as well as presenting opportunities to improve the quality of milk. For this purpose, the milk samples collected from 1390 Holstein cows Bursa Province in Turkey on the test day of the month (at an interval of 30 days) were examined and their fat, protein, dry matter and lactose contents were measured. The cows with boundary values for the fat/ protein accepted for the metabolic states of the cows in the study are considered to be at risk of acidosis if they are lower than 1.2, to be healthy if they are between 1.2 and 1.4 and to have a ketosis risk if the values are over 1.4. The results of the study have shown that the risk for acidosis among the animals are 39.5%, 32.4% and 33.9% respectively during the lactation periods 1, 2 and 3. The percentage of animals at risk of ketosis was determined to be 30.2%, 37.9%, 36.6% respectively. Energy balance is defined as the difference between energy intake from feed and energy required for animal performance. It is an important concept in cattle management and nutrition because it directly impacts the health, productivity, and reproductive success of cows, particularly during lactation. The percentages of the animals at the positive energy balance are 30.3, 29.7 and 29.6 respectively. Estimates for early, mid and late lactation show that in early lactation 31% of cows have acidosis, 37% have ketosis and 32% have positive energy balance, in mid lactation 31% have acidosis, 28% have ketosis and 32% have positive energy balance, while in late lactation 34% have acidosis, 34% have ketosis and 32% have positive energy balance.

Keywords

Acidosis, Energy balance, Ketosis, Milk fat, Milk protein

Ethical Statement

The milk samples used in the study originated from the milked cows in a commercial dairy cattle farm. Milks were obtained as a result of the routine milking processes at the farm. Cows were not subjected to any extraordinary applications nor given any agents. Moreover, according to the “Regulation on Working Procedures and Principles of Animal Trials Ethical Committees” (published in Turkish Republic Official Gazette, Number: 28914), milking procedure is not subjected to ethical approval.

References

• Akyıldız, R. (1984). Yemler bilgisi laboratuvar kılavuzu. Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Yayınları. (In Turkish)
• Alphonsus, C., Akpa, G. N., Nwagu, B. I., Barje, P. P., Orunmuyi, M., Yashim, S. M., Zanna, M., Ayigun A. E., & Opoola, E. (2013). Evaluation of nutritional status of Friesian x Bunaji dairy herd based on milk composition analysis. Journal of Animal Science Advances, 3(5), 219-225. https://doi.org/10.5455/jasa.20130517033450
• Arnould, V. M.-R., Reding, R., Bormann, J., Gengler, N., Soyeurt, H. (2013). Review: milk composition as management tool of sustainability. Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment, 17(4), 613-621.
• Beever, D. E. (1993). Ruminant animal production from forages: Present position and future opportunities. Proceedings of the XVIIl International Grassland Congress. New Zealand.
• Beever, D. E. (2006). The impact of controlled nutrition during the dry period on dairy cow health, fertility and performance. Animal Reproduction Science, 96(3-4), 212-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.08.002
• Čejna, V., & Chládek, G. (2005). The importance of monitoring changes in milk fat to milk protein ratio in Holstein cows during lactation. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 6(4), 539-546.
• Duffield, T. F., Kelton, D. F., Leslie, K. E., Lissemore, K. D., & Lumsden, J. H. (1997). Use of test day milk fat and protein to predict subclinical ketosis in Ontario dairy herds. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 38, 713-718.
• Geishauser, T., Leslie, K., Duffield, T., & Edge, V. (1998). An evaluation of protein/fat ratio in first DHI test milk for prediction of subsequent displaced abomasum in dairy cows. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 62(2), 144-147.
• Hamann, J., & Krömker, V. (1997). Potential of specific milk composition variables for cow health management. Livestock Production Science, 48(3), 201-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(97)00027-4
• Hanuš, O., Klımešová, V. M., Gustav, C., Petr, R., & Seydlová, R. (2013). Metaanalysis of ketosis milk indicators in terms of their threshold estimation. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 61(6), 1681-1692. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201361061681
• Heuer, C., Schukken, Y. H., & Dobbelaar, P. (1999). Postpartum body condition score and results from the first test day milk as predictors of disease, fertility, yield, and culling in commercial dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science, 82(2), 295-304. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(99)75236-7
• Lean, I. J., & Golder, H. M. (2024). Milk as an indicator of dietary imbalance. Australian Veterinary Journal, 102(1-2), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13294
• Mackle, T. R., Dwyer, D. A., Ingvartsen, K. L., Chouinard, P. Y., Ross, D. A., & Bauman, D. E. (2000). Effects of insulin and postruminal supply of protein on use of amino acids by the mammary gland for milk protein synthesis. Journal of Dairy Science, 83(1), 93-105. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(00)74860-0
• Mäntysaari, P., & Mäntysaari, E. A. (2010). Predicting early lactation energy balance in primiparous Red Dairy Cattle using milk and body traits. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A — Animal Science, 60(2), 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2010.496002
• Manzenreiter, H., Fürst–Waltl, B., Egger– Danner, C., & Zollitsch, W. (2013). Zur Eignung des Gehalts an Milchinhaltsstoff en als Ketoseindikator. 40. Viehwirtschaftliche Fachtagung, 9-19. (In German)
• Nelson, A. J., & Redlus, H. W. (1989). Dairy practice management: The key role of records in a production medicine practice. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 5(3), 517-552. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30947-6
• Pavlata, L., Pechova, A., & Dvorak, R. (2008). Differential diagnosis of cows lying down syndrome. Veterinarstvi, 58, 43-51.
• Rathwell, A. C. (1990). Dairy production medicine: Effective nutrition, dry cow management and body condition on reproduction. Proceedings Society Ontario Veterinary Conference Hamilton, Ontario.
• Stoop, W. M., Bovenhuis, H., Heck, J. M. L., & Van Arendonk, J. A. M. (2009). Effect of lactation stage and energy status on milk fat composition of Holstein-Friesian cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(4), 1469-1478. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1468
• Van Soest, P. J. (1994). Nutritional ecology of the ruminant. Cornell University Press.
• Yang, W. Z., & Beauchemin, K. A. (2007). Altering physically effective fiber intake through forage proportion and particle length: Chewing and ruminal pH. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(6), 2826-2838. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0032