Farm406

39 farm406 Providing adequate amounts of nutrients and high-quality water is critical for pregnant cows. Nutrient requirements for cows in late gestation are second only to cows in peak lactation, around two months aer calving. "is year, ranchers are facing a variety of challenges in providing pregnant cows with adequate rations due to limited forage supplies, forages with low protein and energy content, and limited availability of high-priced supplements," says Janna Block, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist based at the Heinger Research Extension Center. "Increasing fetal demands combined with low-quality diets can result in body condition losses and metabolic issues resulting in down cows." One of the conditions experienced by cows in late gestation is pregnancy toxemia, which occurs when fetal energy demand exceeds the maternal supply during the last trimester of pregnancy. Rumen capacity is reduced during late gestation, which reduces voluntary feed intake. e situation is intensified by feeding low-quality, lowly-digestible forage that does not satisfy increasing nutrient requirements. In extreme energy deficiency, the lack of available glucose signals the body to mobilize fat tissue. Fat deposits are then carried to the liver to be converted to glucose. Fat builds up in the liver and releases elevated levels of ketone bodies into the blood. Excess ketones can result in metabolic acidosis and toxicity that can cause nervous system dysfunction and brain damage. "Signs of toxemia include depression, anorexia, decreased rumination, fecal production, staggering, recumbency and death," says Gerald Stokka, NDSU Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist.

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