Dry cow care to counter milk fever

17 March 2000




Dry cow care to counter milk fever

MANY spring calving cows are suffering milk fever this year and more care with dry cow management is needed.

Independent vet consultant Tony Andrews believes that over fat cows could be at the root of the problem.

These cows are not receiving the correct calcium supplementation in the dry period, he says.

In the early dry period cows need a low calcium diet to prime their system for high calcium demand after calving.

"Then ideally increase the calcium supplied in the last week before calving.

"But its harder to feed a low calcium diet than a high calcium one, so if you are seeing cases then restrict calcium fed through the dry period."

Injecting vitamin D before calving, to assist with calcium absorbtion, may also help, adds Dr Andrews.


See more