The importance of good start to lactation

By Marco Hoekstra – International Product Manager Ruminants – HQ 

The first 60 days of the lactation are the most important for the entire lactation and indirect for the farmer’s revenue. If a cow can reach her genetic potential more easily, it means that a cow will have a more persistent milk yield after the peak production (Dekkers et al., 1998). Management does not have a big impact in reaching the cows genetic peak production, but management can improve the persistency (Sorensen et al., 2008). 

To reach the cows’ genetic potential, she needs to be free of challenges. In practice, only 56% of the cows are free from health challenges in the first 60 days of the lactation (Santos et al., 2010). Cows with challenges cost money and a lot of undesirable labour hours. Cows with challenges will cost up to €709 per cow (Steeneveld et al., 2020). Among other things, costs include increased culling rate, milk yield losses, labour and treatment costs. 

By understanding the cow’s needs, challenges can be proactively tackled. Every cow has to deal with a negative energy balance. The energy utilization is higher than the uptake (figure 2). Two main things will happen, the liver function will be permanently reduced, and old challenges will pop up during the first 60 days in lactation.

Being ahead of challenges after calving

By applying AHV Booster Tablet and the AHV Extra Tablet on day 7 in lactation, a cow can stay ahead of challenges. AHV Booster Tablet will increase the energy uptake through highly digestible energy sources and utilization during the full 60-day period in lactation. Next to that, the AHV Booster Tablet will take care of liver health. The AHV Extra Tablet will improve the udder health.  

Due to use of the AHV Booster Tablet and AHV Extra Tablet a cow will be supported at a fixed point in her lactation. This will help the cow to stay ahead of challenges. For the farmer, this will save both time and money. Indirect value is improved fertility and older cows on farm (AHV, 2022).

Source:

Dekkers, J. C. M., Ten Hag, J. H., & Weersink, A. (1998). Economische aspecten van persistentie van lactatie bij melkvee. Livestock Production Science, 53(3), 237-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-6226(97)00124-3

Santos, J. E. P., Narciso, C. D., Rivera, F., Thatcher, W. W., & Chebel, R. C. (2010). Effect of reducing the period of follicle dominance in a timed artificial insemination protocol on reproduction of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(7), 2976-2988. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2870

Sorensen, A., Muir, D. D., & Knight, C. H. (2008). Extended lactation in dairy cows: effects of milking frequency, calving season and nutrition on lactation persistency and milk quality. Tijdschrift voor Zuivelonderzoek, 75(1), 90-97. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022029907002944

Steeneveld, W., Amuta, P., van Soest, F. J. S., Jorritsma, R., & Hogeveen, H. (2020). Estimating the combined costs of clinical and subclinical ketosis in dairy cows. PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0230448. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230448