Expert opinions of strategies for milk fever control

Abstract

Dairy cows have several risk factors for milk fever. The most-suitable strategy to control milk fever in a specific herd will depend on herd-specific circumstances such as the attitude and skills of the farmer, the opportunities available in the production system and the economic consequences of a certain strategy. To develop feasible strategies in a modern loose-housing dairy herd, we carried out an expert opinion study. Animal husbandry advisors and veterinary practitioners were used as experts. The experts quantified the effect on milk fever and time needed by the farmer for two preselected options: Ca-gel fed orally peripartum and a low dietary cation–anion-difference in the dry-cow ration. The estimated mean relative risk (compared to no strategy) was 0.45 and 0.42, respectively, and the median time needed by the farmer was 7 and 33 min, respectively, per cow year. The experts also suggested 12 control strategies. The two control strategies, which were predicted to be the most, relevant were Ca-gel fed orally peripartum used alone and used in combination with a low Ca dry-cow diet.