Serum metabolic profile based assessment of nutritional status of temperate crossbred, stall-fed, lactating dairy cows: a case study of a medium scale mid-country cattle farm

Nutritional status of temperate crossbred dairy cows at post-partum transition, early-lactation and mid-lactation stages of a medium-scale farm in mid-country was assessed through serum metabolic profile. Body weight, body condition score and milk production of cows were recorded. Cows were bled and serum was analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), urea, albumin, calcium and phosphorous contents. Levels of metabolites were compared with respective critical limits of the reference ranges proposed to assess the state of energy balance. Weight and body condition score of cows at different physiological stages were compared. Nutrient and energy content of the forage and concentrate mixed ration of the cows were analyzed. Requirement and intake of crude protein and metabolizable energy were computed. Serum NEFA content of cows at post-partum transition, early-lactation and mid-lactation, non-pregnant stages exceeded the upper critical limit of the reference range, indicating that temperate crossbred cows managed in the mid-country suffer from negative energy balance. The low level of serum BHBA recorded at all stages of lactating cows suggested that they have adapted for the state of negative energy balance. Serum urea content of the lactating cows exceeded the upper critical limit of the reference range due to the feeding of energy protein imbalanced ration. Adopting an energy protein balanced feeding programme is warranted to optimize the productivity while minimizing incidence of metabolic disorders in temperate crossbred dairy cows.