FACTORS PREDISPOSING TO PARTURIENT PARESIS

SUMMARY: In a study of 64 dairy herds in south-western Victoria it was found that pasture and animal management practices were associated with the incidence of parturient paresis. The incidence was higher when pastures were treated with higher rates of superphosphate and potash and when longer pasture was available to cows during the preparturient period. When pasture available was in limited supply, the incidence was inversely related to the amount of hay fed to cows. The incidence was also influenced by age, breed and body condition of cows.