Improving health and productivity in Holstein dairy cows diagnosed with twins

Evaluation of feeding strategies

Authors

  • Helen Aceto Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19348
  • Robert Gallop Department of Mathematics, West Chester University, 15 University Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383; West Chester Statistics Institute, 408 Mitchell Hall, West Chester, PA 19383
  • Randall H. Rieger Department of Mathematics, West Chester University, 15 University Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383; West Chester Statistics Institute, 408 Mitchell Hall, West Chester, PA 19383
  • Dina H. Applyby West Chester Statistics Institute, 408 Mitchell Hall, West Chester, PA 19383; Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19102
  • Billy I. Smith Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19348

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol44no2p104-112

Keywords:

bovine, serum metabolites, twinning, ration, periparturient disease, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, animal health, cattle breeds, cows, dairy cattle, dairy cows, diet, dry period, feed formulation, feed rations, metabolites, milk production, milk yield, postpartum period, pregnancy diagnosis, productivity, twins, ultrasonography

Abstract

Holstein cattle diagnosed with twins pose difficult managerial decisions for dairy producers. Since there is no effective method to reduce the incidence of twinning, it is important to better understand how these metabolically challenged animals should be handled to maximize health and productivity. The objectives of this study were first, to develop a metabolic profile of Holstein cows carrying twins and second, to investigate how implementation of a simple on-farm management intervention affected cows with twins by comparing metabolic status, disease events, and milk production in animals subject to typical dry-cow management (control: low-energy diet from dry-off for five weeks, followed by a nutrient-dense ration for three weeks prior to calving) and those exposed to atypical feeding management (treatment: nutrient-dense ration for the entire eight weeks of the dry period). A total of 36 cows confirmed with twins by transrectal ultrasonography were randomly allocated to control (19) or treatment (17) diets. Cows in the treated group had a steady decline in body weight over the dry period, while cows in the control group maintained weight and then declined precipitously after the change in diet. There was no beneficial effect on disease events, and there was an unexplained negative impact on mastitis incidence. Cows in the treated group had significantly higher postpartum serum ?-hydroxybutyrate (P<0.0001) and mastitis (P=0.04) levels. Compared to other cows in the study herd, delivery of twins did not appear to affect milk production; within cows with twins there was no significant effect of diet on milk yields.

Cover image of Volume 44, No. 2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of a herd of Hereford cattle inquisitively looking at the photographer. In the background, you can see a grain silo and glimpse a farmhouse through the trees.

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Published

2010-06-01

How to Cite

Aceto, H., Gallop, R., Rieger, R. H., Applyby, D. H., & Smith, B. I. (2010). Improving health and productivity in Holstein dairy cows diagnosed with twins: Evaluation of feeding strategies. The Bovine Practitioner, 44(2), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol44no2p104-112

Issue

Vol. 44, No. 2 (2010 Summer)

Section

Articles

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