Extension of anionic diet into the first three days of lactation and its effect on calcium blood levels in postpartum dairy cattle

Authors

  • G. Maier School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616
  • B. McNabb School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616
  • R. Pereira School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616
  • S. Aly School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616
  • H. Rossow School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20163443

Keywords:

postpartum dairy cows, diet, anion, cation

Abstract

Although the incidence of clinical hypocalcemia in postpartum dairy cows is low on US dairies, subclinical hypocalcemia post-calving is common and has been associated with metabolic and infectious disease. It is common farm practice to feed a diet rich in anions to prepartum dairy cattle to support calcium homeostasis; however, this diet is typically discontinued at parturition when calcium needs are still high. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of extending the dietary anion cation difference into the first 3 days of lactation in multiparous dairy cattle with the use of magnesium chloride hexahydrate drenches on blood calcium levels.

Cover image of the 49th Conference Proceedings: An image of a herd of Angus cattle grazing in a field at dusk. Yellow background.

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Published

2016-09-15

Issue

2016

Section

Research Summaries 1

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