Association of mid-infrared predicted milk and blood constituents with early lactation disease and herd removal in Holstein cows

Abstract

Partial least square regression estimates of milk and blood constituents using Fourier transform mid-infrared (FTIR) analysis have shown promise as a tool for monitoring early lactation excessive energy deficit in dairy herds. However, the association of these various predicted constituents and subsequent disease events and production outcomes have yet to be established. Our objectives were to determine the association of early lactation predicted milk ~-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations, predicted blood nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, and predicted de nova fatty acid percentages relative to total fatty acid concentrations with the risks of hyperketonemia (HYK), displaced abomasum (DA), and metritis (MET) diagnosis and removal from the herd (CULL).