Frequency of Pre-partum Negative Energy Balance and Post-partum Subclinical Ketosis and the Cow- and Herd-levels in North East Dairy Herds

Abstract

Large increases in demands for energy and nutrients occur as dairy cows transition from the last weeks of pregnancy to the first weeks of lactation. If excessive, negative energy balance (NEB) in the pre-partum period and subclinical ketosis (SCK) in the post-partum period may be associated with poor reproductive and milking performance, as well as increased incidence of metabolic (e.g. DA) and infectious diseases (e.g. mastitis). Published research suggests that SCK is the most costly disorder of dairy cows in Ontario. The objective of this study was to measure the occurrence of NEB and SCK in a large sample of progressive dairy herds to determine if there is opportunity for better management of this critical time in a cow's life.