日粮阴阳离子差在泌乳奶牛日粮中的应用

日粮阴阳离子差（DCAD）可调控家畜体内的酸碱平衡。近年来，由于其对泌乳奶牛生产性能的影响而越来越受到研究者的重视。文章就阴阳离子差的计算，阴阳离子差对泌乳奶牛干物质采食量、泌乳量和乳成分、瘤胃参数的影响，及对DCAD在我国泌乳奶牛日粮中的应用的展望作了综合阐述。     

围产期不同水平阴阳离子差日粮对奶牛生产性能的影响

试验旨在研究不同水平阴阳离子差(DCAD)日粮对江西红壤地区围产期奶牛泌乳性能的影响。将12头荷斯坦经产干奶牛按照随机区组设计分为3组:对照组、试验1组和试验2组,其日粮DCAD水平分别为+103.27m Eq/kg DM、-109.61m Eq/kg DM和-157.83m Eq/kg DM。结果表明:围产期奶牛日粮干物质采食量、日泌乳量、乳成分(乳蛋白率、乳脂率与乳糖率)未受到DCAD水平影响(P0.05);尿液p H、乳中体细胞数随DCAD水平的降低而降低,两个试验组均显著低于对照组(P0.05),但两试验组间的差异不显著(P0.05)。结果提示:在江西红壤地区养殖奶牛,可以给围产期奶牛添加阴离子盐以降低日粮阴阳离子差水平,不仅不会影响产后泌乳性能,而且还能降低乳中体细胞数,提高牛奶品质。在本研究条件下,奶牛围产期日粮阴阳离子差水平以-110~-150mEq/kg DM为宜。     

猪链球菌2型对PK-15细胞的黏附动力学

为研究携带不同毒力因子的猪链球菌2型对细胞侵袭作用的差异,本实验室从全国各地分离100多株猪链球菌,PCR鉴定出10株链球菌2型,其中携带毒力因子菌株为7-4［MRP⁺EF+］、8-3［MRP⁺EF^-］、ZH-1［MRP^-EF⁺］,另外选择1株LN-2 ［MRP^-EF^-］与PK 15细胞进行黏附动力学试验,结果表明MPR毒力因子与菌株对PK-15细胞黏附具有密切相关性。     

不同DCAD日粮对泌乳初期奶牛产乳性能、血清和尿液矿物质离子浓度的影响

选取9头2胎以上的处于泌乳初期(泌乳天数25～85 d)的荷斯坦奶牛,随机分成3组,分别饲喂日粮阴阳离子差(DCAD)值为+30、+40、+50 mEq/100 g DM的3种日粮,研究不同DCAD值日粮对泌乳初期奶牛产乳性能、血清和尿液矿物质元素离子浓度的影响.试验期为21 d.结果表明:随日粮DCAD值的增大,奶牛的干物质采食量和尿液pH值也随之增加;奶牛尿液中Na+、K+浓度也增加,而Ca2+和肌酐的浓度则降低(P<0.05),其他离子水平无显著变化;血清离子中Ca2+浓度降低(P<0.05),而血清P5+浓度上升(P<0.05),其他离子水平保持不变.当日粮DCAD值为+40 mEq/100 g DM时,泌乳初期奶牛产乳量和4%标准乳(FCM)产量最高.而乳蛋白和乳脂产量则在日粮DCAD值为+50 mEq/100 g DM时最大.综合比较得出,在本试验条件下泌乳初期荷斯坦奶牛的日粮最佳DCAD值应在+40～+50 mEq/100 g DM.     

盐酸环丙沙星在患子宫内膜炎奶牛子宫内给药的药物浓度

本研究以反相高效液相色谱为定量分析手段，选用5头患子宫内膜炎的奶牛，通过子宫内灌注盐酸环丙沙星（2.5 g/头），研究了盐酸环丙沙星在患子宫内膜炎奶牛体内的药物动力学规律。以二氟沙星为内标，血浆样品经甲醇沉淀蛋白，离心，经针头式过滤器处理，用反相高效液相法测定其中盐酸环丙沙星的浓度。 色谱条件为：ODS-1C₁₈柱；测定流动相为0.015 mol/L四丁基溴化铵溶液-乙腈（92∶8，V/V），pH为3.0；流速为1.0 ml/min；荧光检测器，激发波长（λex）278 nm，发射波长（λem）465 nm。通过采用MCPKP房室分析程序，分析血中浓度 时间数据，发现有3头奶牛血样药时数据符合无吸收三室开放模型。其血样中主要药动学参数为：T_1/2α为0.916 h、T_1/2β为49.20 h、AUC高达7.6296 mg/L·h、Clβ为1.582 L/kg·h，β为0.642 h^-1。有2头奶牛血样药时数据符合一级吸收二室开放模型。其主要药动学参数为：T_1/2α为1.26 h、T_1/2β为9.2 h、AUC高达28.336 mg/L·h，β为0.3571 h^-1。试验结果表明，盐酸环丙沙星子宫给药吸收快，分布广，消除慢。     

饲粮离子平衡对动物生产性能的影响

饲粮离子平衡（ＤＣＡＢ）是指饲粮中的主要阳离子（Ｋ＋、Ｎａ＋、Ｃａ２＋、Ｍｇ２＋的毫摩尔与主要阴离子（Ｃｌ－、ＰＯ３－４）的摩尔之差，但为了计算的方便和表示方法的简洁，通常以饲粮中主要一价阳离子与一价阴离子的毫摩尔之差来表示ＤＣＡＢ，根据Ａｕｓｔｉｃ...     

日粮阴阳离子差对泌乳前期热应激奶牛血液酸碱平衡和生产性能的影响

研究日粮阴阳离子差对泌乳前期热应激奶牛血液酸碱平衡和生产性能的影响,选用36头热应激条件下泌乳前期荷斯坦奶牛,采用完全随机试验设计(n=12),以不同日粮阴阳离子差[DCAD;(Na K )-(Cl- S2-)mEq/kgDM]为试验处理,即对照组(DCAD为 130.49 mEq/kg DM),试验Ⅰ组(DCAD为 251.54 mEq/kg DM)和试验Ⅱ组(DCAD为 383.87 mEq/kg DM),试验期42 d。结果表明:(1)提高日粮DCAD可明显增强奶牛血液的缓冲能力和运氧能力。血液pH和碱超值随着日粮DCAD的升高而上升(P<0.05),DCAD对其他血气指标的影响不明显,其中二氧化碳总量、二氧化碳分压、实际碳酸氢盐、氧饱和度均逐渐增加(P>0.05),而氧分压则呈峰形变化(P>0.05);(2)DCAD对奶牛血清尿素氮、总蛋白、白蛋白的影响均达到了极显著水平(P<0.01),肌酸磷酸激酶变化明显(P<0.05),血糖含量直线上升(P>0.05);(3)适当提高日粮DCAD可显著提高奶牛的生产性能。试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的4%标准乳较对照组分别提高了11.0%和5.1%(P<0.05),而乳脂率明显降低(P<0.05),乳蛋白率(P<0.05)和乳糖含量(P>0.05)随日粮DCAD的升高而增加。综合以上各项指标考虑,建议以试验Ⅰ组(DCAD为 251.54 mEq/kg DM)作为泌乳早期奶牛的DCAD日粮。     

饲粮阴阳离子差对围产期奶牛酸碱平衡、血浆钙浓度及抗氧化应激的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平饲粮阴阳离子差(DCAD)对围产期奶牛酸碱平衡、血浆钙浓度及抗氧化应激的影响。选用39头经产预产前28 d、体重、年龄相近的荷斯坦奶牛,按单因子随机区组试验设计分为3组,每组13头牛,分别饲喂DCAD为+175、-35、-183的试验饲粮。DCAD水平通过在饲粮中添加阴离子盐配制。试验期60 d,其中预试期10 d,正试期50 d。结果表明,降低DCAD水平可降低尿液pH(P<0.05),提高血浆钙浓度(P<0.05);但对血浆抗氧化应激指标均没有显著影响(P>0.05)。奶牛产后产奶量和乳成分不受产前DCAD水平的影响(P>0.05)。由此可见,降低围产前期奶牛DCAD水平可降低尿液pH,有利于维持血浆钙稳定,对抗氧化应激能力没有影响。     

O通量特征及排放贡献

：２００３年５月－２００４年４月,利用静态箱－气相色谱法对生长季与非生长季三江平原小叶章湿地N₂O 通量特征及排放贡献进行了研究。结果表明,生长季N₂O 呈脉冲式排放,通量介于０．００５～０．１１１ｍｇ／（ｍ^２·ｈ）,５月较低通量与降水较多有关,６月通量骤然增加与冻层融通有关,７－８月与降水少及蒸发旺盛有关,９月与土壤中较多氮有关。N₂O 通量与５ｃｍ 地温呈显著正相关（P＜０．０１）;非生长季N₂O 表现为“吸收－排放”,通量介于－０．００１５～０．０４９７ｍｇ／（ｍ^２·ｈ）。N₂O 通量与气温、土壤融化时间均呈指数关系（P＜０．０１）,说明在冻结期,温度仍是控制微生物活性的主要因素,而在融化期,温度和冻层融通是导致N₂O 通量迅速增加的重要原因。总之,生长季N₂O 排放量为２０５．５４ｍｇN₂O／ｍ^２,为N₂O 的“源”,非生长季N₂O 排放量为－２６．９７ ｍｇN₂O／ｍ^２,为N₂O 的“汇”,全年N₂O 排放量为１７８．５７ｍｇN₂O／ｍ^２,为N₂O 重要释放“源”。     

生长季与非生长季小叶章湿地N2O通量特征及排放贡献

 ：２００３年５月－２００４年４月,利用静态箱－气相色谱法对生长季与非生长季三江平原小叶章湿地N₂O 通量特征及排放贡献进行了研究。结果表明,生长季N₂O 呈脉冲式排放,通量介于０．００５～０．１１１ｍｇ／（ｍ^２·ｈ）,５月较低通量与降水较多有关,６月通量骤然增加与冻层融通有关,７－８月与降水少及蒸发旺盛有关,９月与土壤中较多氮有关。N₂O 通量与５ｃｍ 地温呈显著正相关（P＜０．０１）;非生长季N₂O 表现为“吸收－排放”,通量介于－０．００１５～０．０４９７ｍｇ／（ｍ^２·ｈ）。N₂O 通量与气温、土壤融化时间均呈指数关系（P＜０．０１）,说明在冻结期,温度仍是控制微生物活性的主要因素,而在融化期,温度和冻层融通是导致N₂O 通量迅速增加的重要原因。总之,生长季N₂O 排放量为２０５．５４ｍｇN₂O／ｍ^２,为N₂O 的“源”,非生长季N₂O 排放量为－２６．９７ ｍｇN₂O／ｍ^２,为N₂O 的“汇”,全年N₂O 排放量为１７８．５７ｍｇN₂O／ｍ^２,为N₂O 重要释放“源”。     

不同DCAD值对崂山奶山羊尿液pH值及血气指标的影响

为了探讨不同日粮阴阳离子差值(DCAD)对崂山奶山羊尿液pH值及血气指标的影响,试验选取健康崂山奶山羊4只,采用4×4拉丁方试验设计,在保证日粮营养水平一致的条件下,调整各试验组日粮DCAD值分别为0、50、100、200 mEq/kgDM。试验结果表明,尿液pH值与日粮阴阳离子差值呈显著正相关,相关系数为0.899 7;DCAD水平能够显著影响血液血气指标(P0.05)。     

饲粮阴阳离子差对围产期奶牛血清生理生化指标及犊牛血清抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究围产前期饲粮阴阳离子差(DCAD)对产后奶牛血清生理生化指标及犊牛血清抗氧化指标的影响。试验采取单因子随机区组试验设计,选取2~4胎次、体重相近、预产期相近的围产前期(产前28天)中国荷斯坦奶牛20头,分为4组,每组5头。4组分别在围产前期饲喂DCAD为+262.31、+130.26、+78.51、+6.67 mmol/kg(干物质基础)的饲粮,阴离子盐的添加量分别为0、15.0、21.9、29.1 g/kg。试验期49 d,其中预试期7 d,正试期42 d。结果表明:降低奶牛产前饲粮DCAD能显著提高其血清钙含量(P0.05);显著降低尿液p H(P0.05);显著提高产后血清维生素D含量(P0.05);显著提高犊牛血清抗氧化能力(P0.05);但对奶牛血清肿瘤坏死因子、甲状旁腺素、降钙素和β-羟丁酸含量没有显著影响(P0.05)。因此,添加阴离子盐降低产前奶牛饲粮的DCAD可以促进其血清钙稳态,诱发机体轻度代谢性碱中毒从而减少产褥热的发病率,并提高犊牛的抗氧化能力。本试验条件下,15.0 g/kg(干物质基础)为阴离子盐最佳添加量。     

饲粮阴阳离子差与奶牛体液酸碱平衡的关联性研究

本研究旨在分析饲粮阴阳离子差(dietary cation-anion difference,DCAD)与体液酸碱平衡之间的关联性.以3个DCAD水平对围产期奶牛体液酸碱平衡状态(尿液pH、血液pH及血液HCO3-)试验数据为基础,应用SAS统计软件分析.结果表明,DCAD与尿液pH、血液pH及血液HCO3-间存在极显...     

全株甘蔗的奶牛瘤胃降解特性及其替代奶牛饲粮苜蓿、燕麦草及精料的应用研究

本试验旨在探究全株甘蔗的奶牛瘤胃降解特性及其替代奶牛饲粮中苜蓿、燕麦草及精料对奶牛瘤胃发酵、营养物质表观消化率、血液生化指标及生产性能的影响,为其替代奶牛饲粮中价格日益攀升的苜蓿和精饲料,并用作奶牛粗饲料资源开辟新途径。试验一采用半体内试验即瘤胃尼龙袋技术,探究了全株甘蔗、国产羊草与国产苜蓿各营养成分的瘤胃降解特性;试验二采用重复3×3拉丁方试验设计,选择体重、胎次、泌乳天数和产奶量相近并装有永久瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛进行消化试验,探究全株甘蔗替代饲粮25%或50%的美国进口苜蓿对奶牛营养物质消化率、瘤胃发酵特性和血液生化指标的影响;试验三选取60头胎次、产奶量和泌乳天数相近的荷斯坦奶牛进行生产试验,探究了全株甘蔗分别替代饲粮30%苜蓿干草、50%燕麦草或10%精料对奶牛生产性能、血液生化指标和牧场经济效益的影响。结果发现：1）全株甘蔗干物质（DM）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）的有效降解率显著高于国产羊草（P<0.05）,中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和有机物（OM）的有效降解率显著高于国产羊草和国产苜蓿（P<0.05）。2）用全株甘蔗替代饲粮25%或50%美国进口苜蓿对奶牛瘤胃pH、氨态氮（NH₃-N）（除25%组4 h外）和挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）含量无显著影响;对奶牛干物质采食量（DMI）及饲粮DM、粗蛋白质（CP）、OM和ADF消化率无显著影响,而全株甘蔗替代饲粮50%美国进口苜蓿组的NDF消化率显著升高（P<0.05）;全株甘蔗替代饲粮中50%美国进口苜蓿组2和8 h血清尿素氮含量显著低于25%组和对照组（P<0.05）,且各处理组不同时间点血液β-羟丁酸含量、瘤胃各VFA和总VFA含量均无显著差异。3）用全株甘蔗替代高产奶牛饲粮中50%燕麦草、30%苜蓿干草或10%精料对奶牛血液中的葡萄糖、尿素氮、β-羟丁酸和非酯化脂肪酸（NEFA）等含量及产奶量均无显著影响,且综合产奶量和饲料成本两方面的因素,各替代组分别比对照组每头奶牛的经济效益增加3.28、7.48和1.62元·d^-1。由此可知,全株甘蔗是一种可供奶牛食用的消化率较高的优质粗饲料,且用其替代饲粮中的25%或50%美国进口苜蓿不影响奶牛的瘤胃发酵特性和营养物质表观消化率;用其替代30%苜蓿干草、50%燕麦草或10%精料不会影响奶牛的血液生化指标及生产性能,还会提高牧场的经济效益。     

The Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Whole Sugarcane for Dairy Cows and Its Application in Substituting Alfalfa,Oat Hay and Concentrate in Dairy Cows' Diets

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the rumen degradation characteristics of whole sugarcane of dairy cows and its effects of using it replacing alfalfa, oat hay and concentrates in dairy cows' diet on the rumen fermentation, nutrient apparent digestibility, blood biochemical indexes and production performance of dairy cows, in order to open up new ways to replace the increasing prices feedstuff such as alfalfa, oat hay and concentrate in dairy cows' diets with whole sugarcane. In experiment one, the in-situ test, namely the rumen nylon bag test was used to investigate the rumen degradation characteristics of various nutrients of whole sugarcane, leymus chinensis and alfalfa. Experiment two was in vivo test,repeat 3 ⅹ 3 Latin square design was conducted and Holstein dairy cows with similar body weight, parities and milk yield and permanent rumen fistula were chosen to investigate the effect of using whole sugarcane replacing 25% or 50% of imported alfalfa from the Unites States in dairy cows' diet on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics and blood biochemical indexes of dairy cows. In experiment three, 60 Holstein dairy cows with similar parity, milk yield and milk in lactation were selected to perform production test, which aimed to explore the effects of using whole sugarcane replacing 30% alfalfa hay, 50% oat hay or 10% concentrate on the production performance, blood biochemical indexes of dairy cows and the economic benefits of dairy farms. The results showed that：1) The effective degradation rates of dry matter (DM) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of whole sugarcane were significantly higher than leymus chinensis (P<0.05), and the effective degradation rates of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) were significantly higher than leymus chinensis and alfalfa (P<0.05). 2) There was no significant effect on rumen pH, NH₃-N (except 25% group at the 4 h time point) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations of dairy cows when using 25% and 50% whole sugarcane to replace imported alfalfa from the Unites States in the diet. There was also no significant effect on DMI and digestibility of DM, CP, OM and ADF, while the digestibility of NDF in the 50% group was significantly increased (P<0.05). In 50% group, the content of serum urea nitrogen in 2 and 8 h was significantly lower than 25% group and control group (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the blood content of β-hydroxybutyric acid, rumen VFA and total VFA in each group at different time points. 3) After using 50%, 30% and 10% of whole sugarcane to replace oat hay, alfalfa hay and concentrate, respectively, no significant difference was detected in blood glucose, urea nitrogen, β-hydroxybutyric acid, the esterification of fatty acid (NEFA), and milk yield. Besides, combined with milk yield and feed cost, the economic benefits of each cow in the substitution groups increased by 3.28, 7.48 and 1.62 yuan per day. respectively, compared with control group. It can be seen that the whole sugarcane is a kind of high-quality roughage that can be used by dairy cows with high digestibility, and using it to replace 25% or 50% of imported alfalfa from the Unites States in dairy cows' diet does not affect the rumen fermentation characteristics and rumen apparent digestibility of nutrients of dairy cows. And using whole sugarcane replacing 30% alfalfa hay, 50% oat hay or 10% concentrate will not affect the blood biochemical indicators and production performance of dairy cows, and will also increase the economic benefits of the dairy farm.     

Biomarkers for the activation of calcium metabolism in dairy cows: elevation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity by lowering dietary cation-anion difference is associated with the prevention of milk fever

In our previous study, it was demonstrated that the administration of anion salts, which slightly lower the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD), in the prepartum period is safe and effective for preventing milk fever in multiparous cows. In the present study, several biomarkers, which might show activation of Ca metabolism, were analyzed using stored samples in the previous study to investigate the mechanism of the preventive effect on milk fever by lowering DCAD. Changes in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and insulin-like growth factor I concentrations in serum were almost the same among the three groups of multiparous cows with or without the oral administration of anion salts, while the levels of these serum biomarkers in the group of primiparous cows (heifer group) were much higher compared with those in the three multiparous groups throughout the experimental period. Urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion was not a useful biomarker for dairy cows because it hardly changed during the peripartum period in all groups. However, serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, which is known as a biomarker of osteoclast activity, was well associated with the administration of anion salts lowering DCAD because among the three multiparous groups, only the group of multiparous cows fed the anion salts (anion group) showed an increased level, which rose to the level in the heifer group, and was markedly higher than those in the other control groups of multiparous cows. The increased activity of serum TRAP in the anion group suggested that Ca in the plasma pool was mobilized smoothly from bone-bound Ca via mature osteoclasts at parturition, which might be due to prior activation under mild acidosis induced by slightly lowering DCAD. Therefore, TRAP was the best biomarker to monitor the activation of Ca metabolism in dairy cows fed anion salts.     

2020年国内18 省份不同月份奶牛繁殖和产奶性能表现研究

通过对全国2020年18 个省份201 个规模奶牛场月度繁殖和产奶量数据进行分析,旨在确定不同月份下奶牛繁殖和产奶性能表现。结果表明：（1）5—6月成母牛受胎率、怀孕率开始下降,7、8月明显下降,9月仍较低,其中7—9月,2胎、3胎及以上牛只受胎率明显低于1胎（平均低4.3~5.1 个百分点）;（2）1—12月后备牛怀孕率、受胎率相对稳定,6—8月未出现明显下降趋势;（3）泌乳牛单产在6月之后呈缓慢下降趋势,平均下降0.50~0.90 kg,泌乳牛峰值产量在6月之后呈较明显下降趋势,其中经产牛下降幅度较大,头胎牛下降幅度较小。因此,为减少奶牛受不同月份热应激影响而导致生产性能下降,建议不同地区奶牛场根据实际情况做好防暑降温工作,优化配种方案,改善营养与饲养管理。     

Clinico-pathological findings in peripartum dairy cows fed anion salts lowering the dietary cation-anion difference: involvement of serum inorganic phosphorus, chloride and plasma estrogen concentrations in milk fever

In our previous study, it was demonstrated that the administration of anion salts, which slightly lower the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD), in the prepartum period is safe and effective for preventing milk fever in multiparous cows. In the present study, several clinico-pathological constituents in serum and urine, which might be related to milk fever, were analyzed using stored samples from the previous study to identify clinico-pathological parameters for easily evaluating the efficacy of lowering DCAD and to further investigate the mechanism by which lowering DCAD prevents milk fever. Among the parameters analyzed in the present study, inorganic phosphorus (iP) was involved in milk fever because the serum concentration and urinary excretion of iP were significantly higher in the group of primiparous cows (heifer group), which did not develop hypocalcemia, than those in other groups of multiparous cows. Serum chloride concentrations in the heifer group and the group of multiparous cows fed anion salts (anion group) tended to remain higher than those in other control groups of multiparous cows suggesting that serum chloride concentration may be utilized for evaluating the status of metabolic acidosis and the efficacy of lowerng DCAD in dairy cows fed anion salts. In addition, plasma estradiol-17beta concentration in the heifer group tended to be lower at parturition compared with that in other multiparous groups suggesting that estrogen known as a potent inhibitor of bone resorption may be involved in developing milk fever.     

Peripartal calcium homoeostasis of multiparous dairy cows fed rumen‐protected rice bran or a lowered dietary cation/anion balance diet before calving

Milk fever is one of the most important metabolic diseases in dairy cattle. Reducing the dietary cation/anion balance (DCAD) with anionic salts is a common prevention strategy. However, many small European farms cannot use total mixed rations (TMR) in the close‐up period. Including anionic salts in compound feeds can result in feed refusals and moderate inclusions to preserve feed palatability results in insufficient DCAD reduction. Rumen‐protected rice bran induces the adaptation of Ca metabolism in dairy cows by a reduction of Ca intake and by a reduction of the availability of dietary Ca. In the presence of a negative control, rumen‐protected rice bran (2.8 kg/day) was compared with a lowered DCAD diet (from 269 to 4 meq/kg DM) in their effect to prevent milk fever. In a randomized block design, 45 multiparous Holstein cows joined the trial sequentially from 21 days before the expected calving date and were observed until the 8th week of lactation. Feed and nutrient intakes were recorded, and Ca, P, Mg in serum and urine, urine pH, serum NEFA and milk production in early lactation were compared. Feeding rumen‐protected rice bran before calving improved the recovery of calcaemia after calving and had a positive effect on DMI after calving. The moderately low DCAD diet did not positively influence serum Ca at calving. Calcaemia recovered even later than in control, and cows showed reduced DMI post‐calving and higher NEFA levels in the first 36 h after calving. This moderate reduction of DCAD did not provide an intermediate prevention level indicating that DCAD needs to be reduced to the recommended levels to prevent milk fever. Rumen‐protected rice bran may be a suitable feed to reduce hypocalcaemia post‐partum and can be included in pre‐calving compound feeds representing a palatable alternative to anionic salts.     

Risk factors for digital dermatitis in dairy cows kept in cubicle houses in The Netherlands

The presence of digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows has increased considerably over the last 10 years in The Netherlands, resulting in a current prevalence of approximately 30% in cows kept in cubicle houses. Our objective was to evaluate a diversified sample of cow- and herd-related risk factors for DD in dairy cows housed in cubicle houses with different flooring systems. Associations were analysed in random-effects logistic-regression models using 2,134 cows (37 herds) and 2,892 cows (47 herds) in the pasture and housing studies, respectively. At cow-level, the odds of having DD were increased in the case of lower parity and lactation. Important risk factors at herd-level were: restricted grazing time, fast rise in concentrate amount after calving, feeding by-products, herd trimming only at long intervals, and introduction of dry cows into the lactating herd before calving. The odds for DD were lower if cows were housed on a slatted floor with manure scraper and provided long and wide cubicles, and if calves were reared in the dairy cows' accommodation.