News — Milk Fever

  The process of parturition -delivering the newborn calf- is the most stressful time in a cow's life. There is a significant decrease in immune system from two weeks before to two weeks after calving. There is an increased demand for available calcium as she comes into milk production. The ration changes in composition and energy density. Hormonal changes occur to facilitate the calf coming through the birthing canal. Pathogens have easier access to the body through the birth canal and udder. As the cow prepares to have her calf, many hormonal changes occur. A hormone called relaxin is produced,...