Transition management and dairy cow performance: insights from dairy farms in Argentina

Resumen

This study aims to describe nutritional strategies, management practices, and health events in transitioning cows on 28 commercial dairy farms in Argentina, selected based on their association with graduate students. During 2022, we surveyed herd management, feeding, health events, and milk yield, based on local research and validated recommendations. Most cows were housed in dry lots, with 97% of farms having far-off and close-up groups, but only half had a fresh group. The average dry period was 59±11.4 days. The mortality and culling rate were 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively. The herd incidence rates were 1.8% for milk fever, 0.3% for clinical mastitis, 2.7% for metritis, and 1.4% for retained placenta. All farms used anionic diets and monitored urinary pH, with corn silage included in all diets, and soybean meal/expeller as the main protein source. Lactating cows produced an average of 33.8±10.43 kg of milk on the first test day and 38.2±10.05 kg at peak. Primiparous cows produced 75% of the milk of mature cows. Bulk tank milk averaged 3.9±0.19% fat and 3.5±0.07% CP. This report highlights strengths and areas for improvement in Argentina’s dairy transition programs.

Highlights:

• Surveyed transition cow management and performance on 28 Argentine dairy farms, providing novel regional data.
• Strengths: Routine far-off and close-up grouping, widespread use of negative DCAD diets, and frequent bunk monitoring contributed to low incidence of health disorders, culling, and mortality.
• Milk composition showed above-average fat and protein content, reflecting effective nutritional strategies.
• Challenges: Lack of fresh groups, grouping primiparous with multiparous cows, limited shade, and extended dry periods (>50 d) increased risks of social stress and overconditioning.
• Opportunities: Improve forage sampling frequency, refine energy balance prepartum, and enhance cow comfort to optimize productivity and sustainability.