The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) recently held its annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., with speakers covering topics ranging from dairy cow to dairy farm to dairy consumer. One of the hottest topics during the scientific and poster sessions was welfare, with studies and speakers approaching the issue from breeding, technology, and consumer perception perspectives, among others. At the joint ADSA and Canadian Society of Animal Science symposium, presenters included Daniel Rico of the Canadian Centre de Recherche en Sciences Animales de Deschambault, who drilled down on nutrient adequacy and the role it plays in dairy cow health and welfare. He cited previous research including a 2020 study which noted that vitamin D3 levels are one of the best predictors of postpartum disease, but reminded attendees that when it comes to behavior, overall health, and well-being, adequate nutrient balance has not been as thoroughly studied as it has for general nutrition needs and disease. For example, Rico said, it’s rarely considered that nutrient needs might be higher due to environmental and social stressors. He also pointed out that current research suggests that inflammation may be the underlying issue in peripartal health issues, so nutrients with anti-inflammatory effects — such as vitamin D3 — may show promise if they are boosted during stressful periods of a cow’s life.

“‘Let food be thy medicine,’” Rico said, quoting Hippocrates as he underscored the potential for nutrition to potentially get in front of — as well as treat — health issues. He emphasized that conventional nutrient requirements currently used in the dairy industry are often based on physiological states and levels of productivity, rather than accounting for situational stressors or the animal’s specific stage of life. And while these traditional recommendations might be sufficient for ordinary conditions, cows in difficult environments — extreme heat, for example — or experiencing major life events such as early lactation might do better with additional supplementation. The role of vitamin D3 and other nutrients in proactively suppression of inflammation has been proven out in studies on humans, Rico pointed out, and with the potential side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on dairy cows, including infection susceptibility and reduced dry matter intake, further research on optimal supplementation during specific periods or in certain circumstances could modulate overall health and well-being.

Nutrition was not the only welfare angle covered during the symposium, which featured a look at how genomic and phenomic advances are providing opportunities to breed for improved wellbeing and resilience. Speakers also touched on the relationship between farm workers and animal welfare, as well as the importance of considering public perception of the modern dairy farm. Look for more coverage of the ADSA annual symposia in the August issue of Hoard’s Dairyman.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.