Preventing milk fever through feedjrig

摘要

The dry period is probably the most vital and, at the same time, neglected part of the whole cycle in dairying. If dry cow management is optimal, then the rest of the lactation should follow without a hitch. There is a golden opportunity to replenishbody reserves lost during lactation, but this must not be at the expense of over-condition. Over-fat cows tend to have more calving difficulties, milk-fever, retained placenta and post-calving infections. They also eat less after calving, lose more weight and give less milk. John Shaw (above), a vet with Wiltshire-basedWilkins and Partners, looks at the role of the cation/anion balance in preventing milk fever.