The Importance of a good start of lactation

The first 60 days of the lactation are the most important for the entire lactation and therefor 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 on reaching the cows genetic peak production, but management can improve lactation 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. 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.

Figure 1: Energy status of the cow

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

Through the use of the AHV Booster Bolus and AHV Extra Bolus a cow will be supported at the start of her lactation. This will help the cow to stay ahead of health challenges. For the farmer, this will save both time and money. Indirect value is delivered through improved fertility and more older cows on farm, longevity (AHV, 2022).

Sources:

Dekkers, J. C. M., Ten Hag, J. H., & Weersink, A. (1998). Economic aspects of persistency of lactation in dairy cattle. 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. Journal of Dairy Research, 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

The AHV Transition Program focuses on the period before and after calving and ensures sufficient energy and minerals and stimulates dry matter intake. This program connects excellently with the AHV Uterine Health Program to fully support the recently calved cow and allow her to restart the reproductive cycle in the best way possible.