Reducing milking frequency from twice to once daily as an adjunct treatment for ketosis in lactating dairy cows—A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of temporarily reducing milking frequency (MF) on the resolution of ketosis and milk production in dairy cows in early lactation. To detect ketosis [blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ≥1.2 mmol/L], Holstein cows were screened daily from 3 to 16 d in milk using a cow-side meter. Cows diagnosed with ketosis (n = 104) were randomly assigned to twice-daily milking (TDM) or reduced to once-daily milking (ODM) for 2 wk, then returned to twice-daily milking. Both treatment groups received a 5-d treatment of an oral propylene glycol drench (PG; 300 g) beginning on the afternoon of the diagnosis; cows received additional 5-d PG treatments if they had a ketotic test result (blood BHB ≥1.2 mmol/L) at least 4 d after finishing the first PG treatment. Blood BHB tests were conducted for the first 3 d after ketosis diagnosis, and then once every 3 d for 21 d of trial (DOT). Milk and milk component data were collected weekly for 15 wk following trial enrollment. The ODM group showed rapidly and markedly decreased blood BHB concentrations (primiparous cows: 1 DOT, 0.92 ODM vs. 1.22 TDM, 15 DOT, 0.55 vs. 0.81 mmol/L; multiparous cows: 1 DOT, 1.01 vs. 1.40, 15 DOT, 0.78 vs. 1.65 mmol/L). In addition, a logistic regression model indicated that ODM cows were less likely to have blood BHB concentrations ≥1.2 mmol/L [primiparous cows: 3 DOT: ODM 1% (95% confidence interval: 0-10%) vs. TDM 43% (30-58%), 15 DOT ODM 0% (0-0.2%) vs. TDM 22% (13-36%); multiparous cows: 3 DOT: ODM 33% (24-44%) vs. TDM 59% (48-69%), 15 DOT ODM 20.9% (13-31%) vs. TDM 64% (53-74%)]. The proportion of ODM cows that required additional treatments of PG were substantially lower than the TDM group (ODM: 39%; TDM: 64%) than the TDM cows during the initial 21-d period. However, during the 2-wk treatment period, cows in the ODM group produced 26% less milk and 25% less energy-corrected milk than the TDM cows. During wk 3 to 15, when all cows were milked twice daily, ODM cows produced less milk (−14%) and energy-corrected milk (−12%) compared with the TDM group. Milk protein percentage was greater, and milk fat percentage and linear score tended to be greater in the ODM group over 15 wk. In conclusion, a 2-wk reduction of MF in ketotic cows from twice to once daily with treatment with PG resolved ketosis and decreased blood BHB concentrations more effectively than treating TDM cows with PG alone. However, the 2-wk MF reduction had immediate and long-term (up to 13 wk after cessation of MF reduction) negative effects on milk production.

An investigation of blood, milk, and urine test patterns for the diagnosis of ketosis in dairy cows in early lactation

“…Early lactation Holstein cows of all parities at the Ontario Dairy Research Centre, University of Guelph, were enrolled in this study from November 2016 to September 2017. Enrolled cows were part of a larger study that assessed milking frequency reduction as a treatment for ketosis (Williamson et al, 2021). To be eligible for sampling, fresh cows should not have had a cesarean section, experienced milk fever, or had a displaced abomasum within their first 3 DIM, as defined by Kelton et al (1998).…”

“…Transition cow facilities and management, as well as the diets provided, were described in detail by Williamson et al (2021). Briefly, before calving (at first signs of calving) or at the expected calving date (if no calving signs present), cows were moved from a freestall dry pen to individual box stalls for closer monitoring by the facility staff.…”

“…Cows included in this study were part of a randomized controlled trial that assessed milking frequency (maintaining a twice daily milking schedule vs. reduction to once daily milking for 14 d after ketosis diagnosis; Williamson et al, 2021). As a preliminary approach, we stratified data by treatment group and assessed test performance by the time of diagnosis.…”

Dietary supplementation with calcium propionate could beneficially alter rectal microbial composition of early lactation dairy cows

“…However, the nutrient requirements for milk production and maintenance increase faster than the supply via feed intake in the early lactation. Although body tissue mobilization can partly compensate for the prevailing lack of energy and nutrients, dairy cows in this period still often suffer several production diseases, particularly ketosis ( 3 ), fatty liver ( 4 ), and milk fever ( 5 ). These metabolic diseases play an etiological role in decreasing feed intake and milk production, reducing fertility, impairing immune function, and increasing cow culling rate ( 2 , 6 ).…”

“…CON, control group; LCaP, low calcium propionate group, basal diet + 200 g/d calcium propionate; MCaP, medium calcium propionate group, basal diet + 350 g/d calcium propionate; HCaP, high calcium propionate group, basal diet + 500 g/d calcium propionate. 2 SEM, Standard error of the mean 3. Trt, contrast among CON, LCaP, MCaP, and HCaP; L, linear effect of calcium propionate addition; Q, quadratic effect of calcium propionate addition.…”