Fatty liver syndrome is mostly an affliction of over-conditioned dairy cows, usually triggered by the drop off in energy consumption immediately preceding calving which leads to a negative energy balance (NEB). NEB leads to stored fats being released to support the high milk production necessary immediately after calving which overwhelms the liver. The liver doesn’t have enough capability to break down these fats and they get stored in the liver and elsewhere. Cows afflicted with fatty liver syndrome are also more likely to suffer from other infectious or metabolic diseases–such as increased incidences of mastitis, metritis, milk fever and ketosis–as well as demonstrating lower milk yields and reduced fertility, leading to losses for dairy farmers. Left untreated, cows afflicted with fatty liver syndrome can have up to a 25 percent mortality rate.
There is no cure for fatty liver syndrome once it has developed, and symptoms can only be managed. However, prevention through careful management of your herd is effective at avoiding fatty liver syndrome and its ill effects. Manage feeding to ensure cows do not over-condition, but have an appropriate body condition between 2.5 and 3 when they go into their dry period. It is best to segregate your herd into feeding groups to ensure each receives the appropriate amount of and balance in the provided total mixed ration (TMR). An example of this would be dividing your herd into late lactation cows, high producers, bred heifers and dry cows as each of these groups is experiencing different demands and therefore requires an adjustment in the TMR to ward off over-conditioning or significant drops in energy intake that can lead to fatty liver syndrome. Avoid drastic changes in diet, whether that is an increase or decrease in roughage or grains, and slowly increase concentrates to allow the rumen time to adjust to higher energy grains.
Good husbandry practices can help your herd avoid Fatty Liver Syndrome. Contact us if you have any questions.
