Dietary Anion Cation Difference in Ration of Transition Cows Kept under KPSBU and KPBS Cooperative Administration

Abstract

Abstract Transition dairy cows often suffer from hypocalcemia metabolic disorders, commonly known as milk fever. The disorder can be mitigated through DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) management. DCAD -50 mEq/kg in close-up cow’s ration facilitates Ca bone mobilization, while +50 mEq/kg in fresh cows supports the cow’s health. An explorative study has been conducted to monitor DCAD management of transition cows kept under KPSBU and KPBS cooperatives administration. Thirty dairy farmers in each area were observed for their cows’ DCAD status and performances. Descriptive and correlative statistics were used to characterize averages, ranges, and links between DCAD status and the cow’s performance. The results indicated that Napier grass and concentrate were used as the primary ration with an average proportion of 48% and 52%, respectively. Meanwhile, tofu waste and agriculture by-products were used as complementary feeds. The average ration contains 35% DM, 6.07% ash, 11% CP, 26.17% CF, 52.41% TDN. Only 43.75% in KPSBU and 86.67% in KPBS of pre-partum cows have negative DCAD, while 46.67% and 18.75% of post-partum cows in the consecutive area have positive DCAD. The average milk production was 17 and 14.67 l/day in KPSBU and KPBS, respectively. The occurrence of prepartum metabolic disorder cases was considerably high in both areas, but the post-partum incidence was found more often at KPSBU than at KPBS (46.67% vs 26.67%). The study concludes that the mismanagement of DCAD and feeding prepartum leads to a higher prevalence of metabolic disorders in transition cows and needs to be addressed seriously.