Gildefarms
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Mid lactation milk fever
Ive been having about two cows per week go down with milk fever between 60 and 90 DIM. This has been going on for a month we've had several meetings with vets and nutritionists, raising calcium and magnesium in the ration, which have been low on blood tests. Significant time hasnt passed since these changes were made, but we are losing cows fast. I came across this forum and was hoping someone might have some insight. Weve run rigourus feed a analysis tests, several autopsies and done quite a bit of bloodwork. Definatley open to ideas and suggestions.
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4/11/2012, 4:04
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Trident DCWI
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
Any time I've had a case of milk fever past the first day or two post partum it tends to be a phosphorus deficiency.
Has the feed been tested for toxins and molds that may be binding or inhibiting the cows ability to use the calcium? When the issue is in the high producing cows that should be eating the most, that is the first thing I look at after checking the mineral levels.
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4/11/2012, 12:56
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bazza20
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
We had a problem like that. Top production cows getting milk fever as they hit there peak. Went over the ration with the vet. Decided not enough calcium and magnesium for the highest production cows. Added more to the diet and problem went away.
Looks like you problem is more complicated than that. Let us know how you get on with it. These things can be very frustrating.
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4/11/2012, 13:45
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JonnyLungs
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
I dealt with the same issue a few years back. Calcium levels in the ration were sufficient. The problem was the mineral wasn't being properly distributed within our TMR. An extra minute or two of mixing took care of the problem.
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4/11/2012, 21:23
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foxleigh
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
I'd be adding ground limestone to my mix.
We have 2% ground limestone in our grain mix along with a mineral pellet.
The cows also seem to really like a frre choice all weather mineral brew called fertility plus.
Our nutritionist is amazed because ,in theory, the cows should be getting more than enuf mineral in their ration to cover their needs and shouldnt need to be inhaling a bag a day like they do.I think the modern holstein pulls so much out of herself making milk that she cant consume enuf fast enuf to replace it.
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5/11/2012, 7:07
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ExpectingRain
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
Following on from what Johnny said, the problem does not correlate with (say) relief staff using the mixer wagon at a weekend?
---
Crosshutton Holsteins
40 Homebred cows Annual Average 11009 4.07 3.07 (2X)
3EX 8VG 13GP 10G 3F
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5/11/2012, 11:13
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Gildefarms
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
Relief staff is not an issue this is a 200 cow dairy where only owners mix feed. T M R samples have been sent out and match up with our ration on paper.toxins have been ruled out. An additional 2oz. Per head of calcium carbonate has been added to the ration. However blood samples on down cows have consistantly been low on calcium and magnesiusm. Additional blood and tissue samples have been sent to MSU for more testing. We are starting to think the mag may be the problem.
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6/11/2012, 14:16
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ExpectingRain
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
Trident also mentioned phosphorus as well as mycotoxins. I assume that has been investigated as well?
The odd cows that I have seen over the years with milk fever mid lactation have usually been explained by some other underlying problem such as fatty liver. The last case that we had here in the Spring appeared to have been precipitated by a heart attack.
Magnesium levels may well be the explanation. One case we experienced several years ago appeared to be caused by the combined effects of an awful, wet day and the failure of the pump which doses mag chloride into the drinking water.
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Crosshutton Holsteins
40 Homebred cows Annual Average 11009 4.07 3.07 (2X)
3EX 8VG 13GP 10G 3F
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7/11/2012, 0:56
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Gildefarms
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
Phosphorus levels have been near normal.
mycotoxins have been ruled out.
Supplemental magnesium was added to the ration today, were keeping our fingers crossed
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7/11/2012, 3:26
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Gildefarms
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Re: Mid lactation milk fever
Blood tests are back from msu and.6 of 12 cows tested were low in mag. Still unsure why we are seeing this deficiancy, but finally feel we are on track to correct the problem!
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8/11/2012, 1:10
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