Results of an Observational Study Describing the Relationship Between Milk Urea Concentrations and Feeding Management and Performance in Ontario Dairy Herds

Abstract

A 13-month observational study of 60 Holstein herds in Ontario, Canada was performed to describe the relationship between milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentrations, as measured by routine DHI testing, and nutritional management in commercial dairy herds. A second objective was to determine if MUN concentrations, as measured by routine DHI testing, were associated with performance in commercial dairy herds. Measures of performance included reproductive performance, production, and efficiency (cost) of production.