Importance of a Dietary Cation-Anion Difference in Peripartum Dairy Cows

Authors

Laura A. Motsinger
Jacob Hadfield, Utah state UniversityFollow

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

4-7-2022

First Page

1

Last Page

4

Abstract

At calving, nutrient requirements of dairy cows increase to support milk synthesis. Energy and protein requirements are increased at the initiation of lactation (Moore et al., 2000). Additionally, calcium requirements increase tremendously to meet the demands of lactation (Moore et al., 2000). Calving and subsequent milk synthesis can cause calcium concentrations in the blood to drop. When the demand for calcium exceeds the cow’s ability to mobilize calcium, hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) occurs, which can negatively impact production. This fact sheet reviews hypocalcemia in dairy cows and how to implement hypocalcemia prevention strategies.

Recommended Citation

Motsinger, L. A., & Hadfield, J. A. (2022). Importance of a dietary cation-anion difference in peripartum dairy cows [Fact sheet]. Utah State University Extension.