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Management and Nutritional Aspects of Ketosis¹

Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

ABSTRACT

Existing evidence favors the concept that the most successful control of the ketosis problem through feeding and management could be obtained by : 1) Providing feeds containing adequate nutrients according to current feeding standards. 2) Offering these feeds at levels as near optimum as possible within the ability of the cow to consume them without going off feed. 3) Following management practices which maximize intake in early lactation and minimize prolonged mobilization of body fat as well as intake of ketogenic materials. Except for the use of 'glucogenic materials in special situations, there is a lack of conclusive evidence to support special nutrient supplementation beyond present standards.

Although there is no known preventive procedure which would guarantee freedom from ketosis, the following specific suggestions are made: 1) Avoid excessive fatness at calving. 2) Increase concentrate feeding to moderate levels in the late dry period and rapidly after calving, using care to prevent the cow from going off feed. 3) Feed high-quality roughage at a minimum one-third of total dry matter intake. 4) Do not make abrupt changes in the ration, particularly to low-quality materials. 5 ) Feed recommended protein, minerals, and vitamins. 6) Avoid hay crop silage high in butyric acid. 7) Maximize intake by providing for adequate comfort, exercise, and absence of stress. 8) In problem herds, a) monitor the ketotic state by weekly milk tests, and b) feed propylene glycol to susceptible cows. 9) Production being equal, select strong cows with good appetites.

¹ Research supported in part by Grant AM 08546 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland.