Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X

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Effect of close-up premix feeding on the incidence of retained placenta and other disorders in Holstein dairy herds

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Corresponding Author, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. E-mail: Amirabadi@sku.ac.ir

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding a close-up premix on the incidence of retained placenta and other metabolic disorders, as well as milk yield and reproductive performance, in Holstein dairy cows.
Method: A total of 190 multiparous Holstein cows (Farm 1= 94 cows; Farm 2= 96 cows) with similar parity, body condition score, and previous lactation milk yield were enrolled in the study 21 days before the expected calving date. Cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: a control group fed the herd’s close-up diet, and a treatment group receiving a premix that replaced 7.5% of the basal diet dry matter (Power Close). The premix contained protein supplements, macro- and microminerals, vitamins, and feed additives. Calf sex and birth weight were recorded immediately after calving, and colostrum yield at the first milking was measured. Milk yield and composition were recorded monthly at each milking up to 150 days in milk (DIM), with monthly milk samples collected for compositional analysis. The incidence of metabolic disorders—including dystocia, retained placenta, milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, metritis, clinical endometritis, and culling—was recorded within 60 DIM. Reproductive performance indicators, including the interval from calving to first insemination, pregnancy rates at first and second inseminations, overall pregnancy rate, number of inseminations per pregnancy, and days open, were also recorded.
Results: The results of this study indicated that feeding Power Close during the close-up period significantly reduced the incidence of retained placenta (P<0.05) and ketosis (P<0.05). In addition, the incidence of metritis and culling tended to be lower in cows fed Power Close than in control cows. The incidence of other metabolic disorders, including dystocia, milk fever, displaced abomasum, and endometritis, was not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Colostrum yield at the first milking (P<0.05), milk yield (P<0.05), and 4% fat-corrected milk yield (P<0.05) were greater in cows fed Power Close compared with those fed the control diet. However, milk fat content was lower in the Power Close group than in the control group (P<0.05). Calf birth weight and most reproductive parameters, including the number of inseminations per conception, conception rate at the first and second inseminations, and pregnancy rate up to 150 days in milk, were not affected by Power Close supplementation. Nevertheless, the interval to first insemination and days open were reduced in cows fed Power Close compared with control cows (P<0.05).
Conclusion: he findings of this study indicate that feeding Power Close during the transition period effectively reduced the incidence of retained placenta, metritis, and culling within the first 60 days of lactation, while increasing colostrum yield and milk production. However, despite its positive effect on reducing days open, Power Close supplementation did not significantly affect pregnancy rate.

Keywords

References
احمدی، فاطمه؛ امانلو، حمید؛ امیرآبادی فراهانی، طاهره و اسلامیان فارسونی، نجمه (1401). اثر افزودن منابع پروتئین عبوری در جیره گاوهای پابه‌ماه بر وضعیت متابولیکی و بروز ناهنجاری‌های ‏سلامتی گاوهای هلشتاین طی فصل گرم. مجله علوم دامی ایران، 53 (4)، 211-222. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijas.2022.338104.653871
 

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Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X
Volume 27, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 423-437
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