Many dairy cows experience a high incidence of health problems during the transition period (TP). The TP is an intermediate stage of various digestive, metabolic and reproductive functions which determine the general health status at the time of calving and during the first weeks postpartum. Negative energy balance due to increased energy demand at parturition and significantly reduced dry matter intake relative to demand is an important determinant. Consequently, substantial lipid mobilization from adipose tissue, increased oxidative stress and impaired immunity are associated with higher incidences of periparturient health problems including ketosis or subclinical ketosis (SCK), which have tremendous economic impact on dairy productivity. SCK is defined as the presence of increased blood ketone bodies (BHBA: betahydroxybutyric acid, acetone, acetoacetic acid) without clinical ketosis signs. Varying blood and milk cut-off values have been reported for BHBA concentrations defining SCK, but the most commonly accepted values are ≥ 1.2 mmol/L and ≥ 200 μmol/L respectively. This underestimated disease can impact dairy cow productivity through decreased milk production in the order of roughly 300 kg/lactation and increases the risk of metabolic and reproductive diseases such as displaced abomasum, retained placenta, metritis, mastitis, prolong oestrus interval and reduces conception rates. SCK also referred to as ‘profit robber or killer’ can cause productivity and economic losses of between $200-290 per dairy cow annually. Options for the control and prevention of SCK include controlled-release monensin capsules, and the injectable combination butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin and oral propylene glycol. SCK is easy to detect in early lactation using cow-side validated BHBA analysers with high specificity and sensitivity.
The present study analyzed the transformation of dairy cattle population and changes in yearly milk production and per lactation milk yield (1991 -2019) in Turkey. In addition, metabolic and reproductive diseases frequently seen in high milk yielding dairy cows (HYDC) and problems causing low milk yield were investigated. The number of dairy cows, culled and sent to slaughter was investigated for the last three years in Turkey. On the other side, the cost of the most common metabolic diseases by region has been analyzed by a phone survey (40 vets were asked in different regions). The dairy cow population was 6118997 in 1991 (HYDC pure breed: 10.6% and traditional indigenous dairy breed: 55.3%). The dairy cow population reached 6580753 in 2019 (7.5 % increase compared to 1991) which consisted of pure breed HYDC of 49.4% and traditional dairy breed of 8.9%. This is a transformation in dairy cattle population in 28 years. Yearly total milk production increased by 141.2% from 8.616.412 tons (1991) to 20782374 tons (2019). Yearly milk production per lactation/cow increased from 1.4 tons (1991), to 1.65 tons (2000) and to 3.16 tons (2019) which means 17.5% and 124.3% increase, respectively. The growth of the number of HYDC pure breed and their total yearly milk production was 399.3% (650739 -3249002) and 555.6% (1913438 tons to 12544507 tons) in 28 years, respectively. Numerous metabolic and reproductive diseases can often be observed in HYDCs due to genetic reasons as well as nutritional and maintenance mistakes during the transition and dry period which can cause economic loss related to milk yield and metabolic diseases. The treatment cost of the metabolic or reproductive diseases for the farmers was between 150-1200 TL per case. Many of the animals were sent to compulsory slaughter and culled because of these diseases. Indeed, a total of 738681 dairy cows have been sent to slaughter throughout the last three years.
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