THE INFLUENCE OF LONG-TERM DISORDERS OF FEEDING AND KEEPING ON THE METABOLISM AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OF COWS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of long-term disturbances of feeding and keeping on the metabolic status and reproductive health of high-yielding dairy cows during the transition period. The study was conducted at the SVK "Ladygi" farm (Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine) in two consecutive periods: control (15.01–15.04.2025) and experimental (16.04-15.07.2025) after the implementation of a set of corrective measures in the feeding and management system. In the control period, a high level of metabolic and obstetric-gynecological pathologies was detected: ketosis - 42.4%, acidosis - 67.2%, metritis - 34.5%, retained placenta - 13.2%, hypocalcemia - 7.9%. Biochemical blood tests revealed signs of protein deficiency, impaired energy metabolism, liver damage, and calcium and phosphorus deficiency. The introduced changes included optimization of animal grouping, transfer to late dry period on the 264th day of pregnancy, exclusion of alcohol-based feed, replacement of soybean meal with cake, introduction of mineral buffers and use of vitamin-mineral premixes. After correction, the frequency of ketosis decreased to 18.2%, acidosis – to 32.5%, metritis – to 24.6%, delayed parturition – to 9.5%, hypocalcemia – to 3.2%. The biochemical profile of blood confirmed the normalization of protein, energy and mineral metabolism. Additionally, an increase in average daily milk yield from 24.3 to 28.9 l, improvement in milk quality indicators and an increase in the efficiency of the first insemination from 27% to 42% were noted. The results of the study prove that systematic optimization of feeding and management during the transition period is an effective tool for preventing metabolic diseases, increasing productivity and improving the reproductive function of dairy cows in industrial conditions.