Degree of overconditioning is related to the cow's initial condition, her own feed efficiency ability, energy in the feed, duration of excess energy intake, reproductive status, and level of milk production. Generally, when feeding predominantly corn silage diets, do not go below 55 percent of the ration dry matter. When feeding haylage diets, do not go below 40 to 45 percent of ration dry matter. A frothy, acute form of bloat can also occur when cows consume large amounts of certain legumes such as fresh, lush alfalfa and clover. Grazing of these forages must be carefully managed to avoid bloat.
Laminitis causes lameness, continual discomfort when cows are standing, and poor performance.
These bacteria are filtered out by the liver, resulting in liver infection and creating the abscesses, which impair liver function efficiency. The abomasum generally moves to the left and upward, coming to rest between the rumen and the left abdominal wall. Most DA's occur in cows within two weeks after calving, so the conditions associated with calving appear to be at least one predisposing factor. Proper feeding as mentioned above can reduce incidence of DA's. Low milk fat content can occur by feeding low forage to concentrate ratios, or rations in which the forage has been too finely ground.