engleski

Possibility of metabolic control in cows by milk protein and urea determination

Milk productivity, milk protein content and milk urea concentration were studied in 94 Simmental cows on 14 family farms from north-west Croatia. The aim of the study was to assess the potential value of milk protein and urea determination for metabolic control in cows. The average daily milk yield was 19, 6 L, however, with less than 19, 6 L on 50% of the family farms included in the study. Milk sample analysis showed the milk protein content to be below the breed average value (3, 19) in 43% of cows. The mean milk urea concentration was 3, 42 mmol/L, however, it was 2, 9 mmol/L in as many as 45% of cows. Nutritional status assessment by the method of Scholz revealed coexistence of major energy and protein deficiency in 39% of study animals, which according to the method could points top the presence of subclinical metabolic impairments, mainly ketosis and fatty liver. Isolated presence of mild to moderate energy deficiency, over time leading to metabolic impairment and progression to a disease when associated with major feed protein excess, was recorded in 36% of cows. According to the method interpretation, the values ranging within the physiologic limits were measured in only 25% of animals. Determination of biochemical parameters in cows milk for the herd health control could find wider use, not only as a consumer-based control but also as a feeding process control in terms of energy/protein ratio as well as a indicator and prevention of metabolic disturbances in dairy cows.

cow ; milk protein ; milk urea ; nutritional status ; metabolic impairment

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