The use of indicators to assess the degree of mobilisation of body reserves in dairy cows in early lactation on a pasture-based diet

Abstract

The accuracy of predicting energy balance (EB) using various milk, blood, and other indicators was determined in 23 Holstein-Friesian cows that were grazing pasture in very early lactation. The concentration of milk acetone was negatively correlated (r=-0.64) with EB (p<0.05) as were β- hydroxybutyrate 6 (BHBA) (r=0.76) and non-esterified fatty acids (r=0.56) in plasma, age (r=-0.49), and mean liveweight (r=-0.46). The concentration of plasma glucose was positively correlated (r=0.79) with EB (p<0.05) as were insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (r=0.57) in plasma and change in liveweight (r=0.39). The best prediction model for EB included plasma glucose and plasma BHBA (r=0.84). Milk aceton..