DairyCo

Metabolic Disorders

A number of disorders linked to incorrect diet or feeding can have adverse effects on dairy cow health and welfare as well as productivity. 

For example:  

• Acidosis
• Displaced abomasums (DA)
• Hypocalcaemia (milk fever)
• Hypomagnesaemia (grass staggers)
• Ketosis (acetonaemia)
• Fatty liver
• Laminitis
• Retained foetal membranes (retained cleansings). 

All the common metabolic disorders have a knock-on effect on fertility and it can take many months for the reproductive system to recover from metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders can invariably be prevented by ensuring the best possible dietary balance and particularly careful management of cows at drying off, during the dry period and in early lactation.