Abstract
The need for supplementation of dairy cow diets with fat-soluble vitamins depends on the amount of vitamins naturally present in the diet, the availability of dietary vitamins, and the vitamin utilization rate of the animal. Fresh forage contains ample amounts of the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene as well as vitamin E. Irrespective of the dietary amount, however, the availability of vitamins A, D, and E, as well as beta-carotene, can be adversely influenced by poor fat digestion, as commonly occurs due to enteric disease in young calves. In addition, high-grain diets appear to increase the amount of ruminal vitamin destruction and may thus increase vitamin requirements. The vitamin utilization rate may be increased by inflammation as well as dietary and environmental factors. The factors influencing vitamin availability and utilization rate should be considered when formulating rations. Because the vitamin requirement is variable, blood concentrations of vitamins should be monitored when conditions such as poor fertility, weak calves, and poor immune response are present.
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