Resources for Identifying Dairy Cow Stress

Matt Lucy, PhD, professor at the University of Missouri, explains stress as a factor in getting cows pregnant. He looks at uterine function, uterine condition ahead of pregnancy and the role stress plays, as well as the difference between dairy cow stress and strain.

Effect of protected B vitamins on transition cows on health, milk production and reproductive performance during heat stress.
If cows can beat the heat in Mexico, yours can too. The owner of a 1200-cow commercial herd in the Queretaro region of Mexico who was feeding a protected B vitamin blend with good success wanted to determine if a higher feeding rate would benefit his transition cows during hot weather. A study proved the benefits. Results showed reduced metritis and retained placentas, increased first service conception rate, an increase in cows pregnant after two services, and increased milk yield. For study results, please contact your Jefo Nutrition representative.

While heat stress gets the most attention, there are other stressors that cows may face regardless of environmental conditions throughout the year. We know that stressors can negatively affect cows. Our challenge is identifying those that probably have the biggest impact on our farms and identifying how those might interact and compound, explains Dr. Trevor DeVries, Canada Research Chair in Dairy Cattle Behavior and Welfare, professor at University of Guelph.

Meta-analysis finds lactating dairy cows respond positively to a rumen-protected B vitamin blend.
Dairy cows require B vitamins. Assuming the rumen produces sufficient B vitamins to meet their needs is risky. A published meta-analysis of 50 trials shows the impact of feeding a protected B vitamin blend on milk production – a 1.94 pounds per day gain – plus consistent and predictable increases in fat and protein. For study results, please contact your Jefo Nutrition representative.

Stress affects production whether it comes from lameness, overcrowding or feed delivery. University of Manitoba animal science professor Dr. Meagan King recommends using precision technology, such as rumination or activity tracking information, to look at behavior, help identify problems early and make better management and nutritional decisions to treat the problem.

A 100-Year Review: Stress physiology including heat stress
Heat can affect all cows, which makes it the largest single stressor. However, more than 30 other stressors can affect cow performance and farm revenue. Researchers look back one century on stress physiology and effects on milk yield and reproduction. Published in the Journal of Dairy Science.

Effect of rumen-protected B vitamins on subclinical ketosis during heat stress.
During a heat stress study in the La Laguna region of Mexico, researchers determined that the prevalence of subclinical ketosis was high, even in herds with excellent management protocols. When transition dairy cows were supplemented with a blend of rumen-protected B vitamins and choline, the prevalence rate was largely reduced. This nutritional tool is part of the solution to improve the health and productivity of dairy cows during heat stress. For complete study results, please contact your Jefo Nutrition representative.