Control of Energy Balance Using the Alteration of Body Condition in Dairy Herd Health Management

Abstract

Introduction Herd health management in dairy cattle requires specific methods in order to detect imbalances in feeding management as early as possible and thereby to avoid economic losses. One important component in feeding management is energy. Energy balance and energy supply change throughout lactation. In the period around partus an oversupply or an undersupply both lead to detrimental consequences for the cow. The incidence of disease increases and production decreases. Therefore energy supply has to be checked periodically by examining the cow's condition. In herd health management two different methods have been developed: BCS-System and measuring backfatness by ultrasound. Monthly visits offer the possibility of using not only the absolute values but also the changing of cow's condition between two times of control. Beside information about the cow's actual condition a statement about the energy balance will be possible. This might be the better parameter to control energy supply of the herd during lactation.