The use of negatively balanced cation-anion rations during the late dry or prepartum period requires excellent monitoring and management. The cows must be separated from the remaining herd and fed a total mixed ration as a group. Lower plasma calcium (Ca) will stimulate the Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1-hydroxylase system to increase intestinal absorption of Ca and bone resorption -reduce incidence of milk fever. The incidence of milk fever was increased simply by increasing the potassium (K) concentration in pasture Diet high in K or sodium (Na) -alkalinize the blood -decreased bone Ca resorption and renal production of 1, 25-(OH)2 vitamin D, increase incidence of milk fever. Inadequate supply of magnesium (Mg) in dry period -reduce the ability of a cow to mobilize Ca at parturition. Anionic salts (-ve DCAD) prevents milk fever by acidifying the blood to restore tissue responsiveness to the PTH.

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