Problems of modern dairy farming
The marked increase in the milk yield
over recent decades is associated worldwide
with reduced fertility of the herds.
Although the quantity of milk increased
by about 2% annually, the fertility of the
herds fell by 1%. Moreover, the rate of metabolic
disease among the cows increased
too. This has resulted in financial losses in
the field of milk production.
Stress, especially in the transitionphase
During the transition phase and early
lactation period, dairy cows are subjected
to increased stress. The changes affect their
metabolism and hormone production. The
animals’ bodies are preparing themselves
for calving, milk formation (lactogenesis),
milk secretion and repeated reproduction.
The burden on the cows’ organism and
economic performance should not be underestimated.
Strategies for improving milk production, fertility and health
By providing rumen-stable fats and functional
nutrients, BergaPlus D boosts the
cows’ milk yield and improves their fertility
and health. BergaPlus D reduces the
mobilization of body fat, thus counteracting
the harmful effects of a negative
energy balance on the amount of milk pro-
duced and the cows’ fertility, liver functions
and health. It has a positive influence on
the function of the reproductive and im-
mune systems, particularly in high-yielding
cows during the transition phase and early
lactation.
A glance inside the cells
Being a vegetable fat powder complex,
BergaPlus D consists of natural vegetable
triglycerides and the functional nutrients
carotene and vitamin E. The product was
developed specially to compensate for a
negative energy balance and to increase
the milk yield and fertility of dairy cows.
At the same time it supports the functions
of the liver and immune system. Infections
and metabolic or reproductive disorders
occur less often. With regard to reproduction
it should be remembered that
the corpus leuteum (yellow body) contains
large amounts of ß-carotene. This means
that dairy cows with a ß-carotene defi-
ciency are more susceptible to reproductive
disorders, especially in the winter months
and early spring. A diversity of problems
may result: silent or prolonged oestrous
cycles, delayed ovulation, low progesterone
release, early death of embryos, infections
of the udder due to problems with
the afterbirth, inflammation of the udder
or uterus and placental retention.
Advantages for dairy cows:
- Simultaneous availability of fat, ß-carotene
and vitamin E in the small intestine. In
particular the fat is available immediately
for storage in lipoproteins and thus as a
source of energy.
-
Higher milk yield; normal oestrous cycle,
ovulation and pregnancy; fewer infections
and reproductive or metabolic disorders.
Practical trials with BergaPlus D – noticeably increased milk yield in
Chinese Holstein cows
 In trials at a dairy farm in Shanghai, China,
52 high-performance cows were selected
and divided into two groups. One group was given rumen-protected fat in
powder form, the other BergaPlus D. The cows were divided up according to the
expected calving date and the milk yield of the previous lactation period (8,500 kg on
average). Administration of BergaPlus D as a top dressing started at 125 g per cow and
day 21 days before calving and continued at 350 g per cow and day for a further
90 days.
In the cows fed with BergaPlus D the milk yield increased significantly by
an average of 10.6% as compared with the cows receiving the rumen-protected fat
powder (37.38 kg as against 33.78 kg/day).
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