Risk factors of displaced abomasum in Wisconsin dairy herds

Abstract

Analysis was performed on data collected in an earlier study, regarding peripartal feeding and management practices, and incidences of displaced abomasum in 71 dairy herds in Wisconsin. In primiparous cows, the average herd incidence was 0.08, and in multiparous cows 0.03. The data were analysed using nominal logistic regression. In primiparous cows, a low rumen fiber effect at calving, a rapid change of concentrates after calving, a tough social adaptation in herd at calving and straw or corn stalk bedding, as compared to other beddings, were found to increase disease incidence significantly. For multiparous cows, only low rumen fiber effect at calving was shown to be a risk factor. The results demonstrate that a high rumen fiber effect at calving is extremely essential to prevent displaced abomasum both in young and older cows. In primiparous cows, the feeding schedule for concentrates after calving and the way the cows are introduced into the herd at calving seem to be important.