Modeling Biometrics Benchmarks for a Successful Transition Cow Management
The transition period has been investigated for nearly 4 decades. Over this time, much has changed in dairy industry including herd management and genetics. Dr. Kerwin, from Cornell, joins us today to discuss the robust observational project documenting the management of 72 successful herds in NY and VT. The project involved tracking the same cohort of cows on each farm for 11 weeks to capture the far off, close up, fresh and peak lactation cow over time.
Part 1 of the paper focuses on the management of the herds within the existing farm infrastructure. These topics including grouping dynamics, fresh cow checks and stocking density and how these parameters impact biomarkers (NEFA, βHB and haptoglobin).
Beginning at 20:44, she discusses how the biomarkers effect the health, production and reproductive success of the herd. Their model identified an association between the biomarkers and production, negative health disorders, and reproduction (25:13).
Don't miss this foundational herd biomarker benchmarking paper for understanding your transition pen goals.
HERD ALARM LEVELS: (multi= mature cows, primi = first calf heifers, Pre=Prepartum, post=postpartum)
PRE NEFA: when >30% multip cows sampled are >0.17 mmol/L = 6% increase disease
21d PR: >15% multi – 6% decrease 21d PR
> 40% primi – 3.9% decrease 21d PR
POST NEFA: >0.59mmol/L
> 15% Multi: 5.8%
> 15% Primi: 4.2% increase in disorder
Post NEFA 305ME Milk –
Multi: >30% = >0.48 mmol/L decreased milk 1735lbs
Primi – Not Significant
POST BHB: >15% @ >1.2mmol/L
8.5% increase disorder
305ME Milk: >0.9mmol/L
Multi: >10% +229kg
Primi: >20% +332kg
21d PR: >15%, >0.9 mmol/L
3.2% decrease
Prob of Preg - 5.2% decrease
PRFS – 7.0 % decrease
POST HAPLOGOBIN: >20%, >0.45g/L = 5.3% increase in disorder incidence
Companion article
Transition cow nutrition and management strategies of dairy herds in the northeastern United States
Part I—Herd description and performance characteristics