Evaluation of Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) through the Transition Period as a Predictor of Clinical Disease

Abstract

During the transition period, most dairy cows will transiently visit a state of negative energy balance and hence have elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels; however, only a subset of cows and farms develop levels of clinical illness past acceptable limits. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between NEFA levels above a certain cut-point and displaced abomasums. The objective of this study was to evaluate pre- and post-partum NEFA levels and their association with clinical disease in northeast US dairy herds.