Strategies for Programming the Lactation

Abstract Text: While the transition period is brief (3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving), it is a critical window wherein the relative success of a dairy cow compared with her herdmates is often determined. For example, disease events—such as mastitis, metritis, or metabolic disorders—in the first 3 weeks of lactation can program the cow for decreased milk production for a significant proportion of the lactation if they occur. Conversely, it may be possible to program a cow for higher levels of milk production across a lactation. The gender of the calf that is born can influence 305-d milk yield for the ensuing lactation. When 2.39 million lactation records from 1.49 million Holstein dairy cows were analyzed, we demonstrated that cows who gave birth to heifer calves produced greater 305-d milk yield compared to those who gave birth to bull calves. When a subset of these lactation records was analyzed, we found that cows who gave birth to heifer calves in their first lactation had an advantage of approximately 445 kg of milk over the first 2 lactations. Administration of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) beginning 12-36 h following calving also increases 305-d milk production under some circumstances, despite the brief administration period. Dairy cattle from a commercial dairy herd in at least their second lactation were randomly assigned to 3 treatments: CON (control; control bolus on d 1 and water drenches on d 1-3), MEL (bolus of 675 mg of meloxicam on d 1 and water drenches on d 1-3), or SAL (control bolus on d 1 and drenches of 125 g of sodium salicylate on d 1-3). Cows who received either NSAID treatment (MEL or SAL) produced greater volumes of milk on a daily basis beginning at approximately the ninth week of lactation, resulting in greater 305-d milk yield. When dairy cattle on a research dairy in their second lactation and greater received the same SAL treatment in a follow-up study, milk yield did not follow the same response; however, there appeared to be a long-term programming effect on some physiological measurements, and this result was particularly apparent in cows in their third lactation and greater. Overall, these results indicate that in addition to the prevention of diseases, opportunities are available for both producers and researchers to program increased milk production in a lactation and improve profitability.

Keywords: calf gender, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, transition dairy cow