Milk Fat Depression in High-Yielding Cows: Reasons and Mitigation Strategies
Publication Date : 31-10-2024
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Abstract :
Milk fat depression (MFD) is a nutritional disorder primarily driven by dietary imbalances. In a high yielder dairy cattle, fat is the main energy-driving nutrient. In MFD, there is a clear reduction in milk fat yield. Limited substrate availability due to alteration in rumen fermentation along with other factors like using coarse ration, high fermentable diets, or using supplements that affect rumen microbial population can cause MFD. This shrinks the profit margins for suppliers as MFD causes a significant decrease in value-added products. High-grain diets alter the rumen fermentation process, producing trans fatty acids (FA) that inhibit milk fat synthesis, which then leads to high propionate production, which decreases rumen pH and ultimately decreases acetate production, causing MFD. Balancing diet, Monitoring rumen pH, using inert fat, good feeding management, and eliminating environmental stressors can be helpful in the elimination of this disorder.
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