Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health Hosts Transition Cow Nutrition Conference

The transition period, 21 days prior to calving and 21 days post-calving, is critical for the success of a cow’s lactation and now, new research is showing the impact will last well beyond that lactation and even impact the unborn calf.

The Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health team recently held a seminar, titled “New Developments in Transition Cow Nutrition” for an exclusive group of leading dairy nutritionists, producers, and industry influencers. The event was held in Saint Herblain, France, and featured speakers from both the United States and France.

Renowned researcher and professor, Dr. Jose Santos from the University of Florida kicked off the event as he shared some of the newest research demonstrating the many benefits of feeding rumen-protected choline to transition dairy cows. “It is unquestionable that choline fits the criteria of a required nutrient for dairy cattle, and we need to get rid of the dogma that it is just for problem cows,” noted Dr. Santos.

“In our studies, there was a carry-over effect of supplemental choline. Cows continued to produce approximately 2 kg more milk per cow per day even after choline supplementation stopped.” Dr. Santos was joined by Dr. Francis Enjalbert, National Veterinary School of Toulouse discussing "Metabolic Stress in Peripartum Dairy Cows" and Dr. Philippe Verdoolaege, Veterinarian with Cristal Services Network presenting “Implementation of a Management Strategy for the Transition Period in Dairy Farming.”

Dr. Clay Zimmerman, Director of Technical Services for Balchem, concluded the presentations with a review of encapsulation technologies and the importance of adequate rumen protection, as well as adequate feed and TMR stability to deliver nutrients to the cow. “Choline can only impact performance if it makes it to the small intestine of the cow,” says Zimmerman. “Proper encapsulation is key to delivering all the benefits of rumen protected choline: increased milk production throughout lactation, improved transition health, added colostrum and growth of the calf.” Though the event was not open to the public, Balchem will release recordings of several of the sessions and a podcast featuring the speakers in a panel question and answer session.

Visit Balchem.com/podcast to listen or search for Real Science Exchange on your favorite podcast platform. To view the sessions and to learn more about choline’s impact on transition cow nutrition and other benefits, visit Balchem.com/ReaShure-XC