Late lactation milk fever
Late lactation milk fever can often be due to cows milking harder towards the end of lactation and the possibility of not having enough calcium left in her reserves.
Cows need calcium for bone and teeth formation, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle excitability, cardiac regulation, blood clotting and the activation and stabilisation of enzymes.
Basically, it is a very important mineral to the cow and makes up nearly two percent of her body weight.
Most farmers would have seen milk fever most commonly in the herd immediately after calving.
Milk fever occurs due to the inability to digest and utilise dietary calcium, or mobilise bone calcium quickly enough to satisfy demands for milk production. The frequency of late lactation milk fever increases with: cold, wet weather conditions higher producing cows as the age of the cow increases so does the risk higher body condition score cows jerseys seem to be more susceptible. It is most important for the late lactation milk fever cows to be fed a lead feed ration like CopRice lead feed prior to their next calving.
The anionic salts help the cow absorb calcium from her diet and at the same time mobilise more calcium from her bones.
Cows with late lactation milk fever will be at a greater risk of developing milk fever around calving.
For more information call CopRice on free call 1800 267 742 and speak to a nutritionist today or visit the CopRice Stockfeeds at Farm World site A32.